2 arrested after hours-long standoff

WEST WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) - Two people were arrested early Monday morning, after a five hour standoff that brought police and SWAT team members to a West Warwick neighborhood.

Witnesses say it started just before 7 p.m. Sunday at a home near the intersection of Shippee Avenue and Pond Street.

Police tell us Edward Lepore , 19, of 120 Colvintown Road in Coventry, was arrested after he allegedly pointed a gun at a woman inside the home as part of an attempted robbery. The second suspect has been identified as a juvenile.

State police came to the area looking for Lepore, as he was wanted in Coventry for domestic assault. Coventry police had advised that Lepore was likely in the possession of a handgun and would use it on police if any attempt was made to arrest him.

Troopers said that upon arrival they encountered a male attempting to flee the scene in a vehicle, and later learned that he had been robbed by two male suspects with a weapon inside of the home, located at 70 Shippee Ave.

Inside the residence, police say, were a second juvenile suspect, along with a woman and two-month-old baby.

West Warwick, Coventry and State Police swarmed the area.

Shortly after midnight, the woman and baby exited the home. Police say they were not held against their will.

Police negotiators were able to coax the man and juvenile out of the home a short time later.

Lepore is facing charges of first-degree armed robbery and conspiracy, along with the domestic assault charge. He's currently being held at the ACI as a probation violator.

He was arraigned today before a Justice of the Peace and is due to be formally arraigned on August 14 on charges of First Degree armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and obstruction a police officer in the execution of their duty.

The juvenile suspect was ordered to be held at the Rhode Island Training School and will be formally arraigned August 14.