Providence Men Charged With Armed Attack On Coventry Residents

COVENTRY, RI — Two armed Providence men attacked Coventry residents and then tried to force their way into a Mill Street home when their targets retreated inside, police said.

Aaron Tanzi, 39, and Evan Pono, 38, were arrested in connection with the incident, the Coventry police said in a media release.

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Tanzi was charged with burglary, possession of a firearm while in the commission of a crime of violence, felony assault and battery, assault with intent to commit specified felonies, and conspiracy, the release said.

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Pono was charged with burglary, possession of a knife while in the commission of a crime of violence, felony assault and battery, assault with intent to commit specified felonies, and conspiracy, according to the release.

Officers were called to Mill Street early Tuesday morning to investigate a disturbance "after two men tried to force their way into a residence, while the occupants were home," the release said.

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"After speaking with parties on scene, it was learned that two armed individuals approached a residence and attempted to assault some o f the occupants, whom were initially outside," according to the release.

"As the victims retreated inside, the suspects brandished what they believed to be a knife and a handgun, pointing the weapons at the residents," the release said. "As the suspects forced the front door open, the residents continued to fight back to re-secure the door and fend them off. After repeated attempts t o get inside, the suspects subsequently fled the scene."

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Police "conducted an extensive investigation" and were "able to identify" Tanzi and Pono as suspects, according to the release.

Detectives obtained arrest warrants for the two men and "immediately began attempting to locate them," the release said.

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Pono and Tanzi were arrested by the Providence police Wednesday afternoon and turned over to the Coventry Police Department, according to the release.

Both men were held without bail on the charges and as probation violators, the release said.

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