Coventry Man, 40, Arrested After Armed Standoff With Police

COVENTRY, RI — A Coventry man was arrested early in the morning of New Year's Day following an armed standoff with police. Kyle Wilkinson, 40, barricaded himself inside his Tiogue Avenue home after his girlfriend said she threatened her with a handgun, police said.

Wilkinson's girlfriend first called Coventry police around 5:45 p.m. on New Year's Eve. She said that she escaped from the house after he threatened her with the gun.

When officers arrived at the house, Wilkinson was "acting highly erratic" and did not cooperate, police said, eventually barricading himself inside. According to police, he had a gun and appeared to be wearing body armor.

The surrounding area was locked down and nearby residents were asked to evacuate from their homes out of an abundance of caution. the Coventry/West Warwick SWAT team was called in, along with the Rhode Island State Police Tactical Team and the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal Office's Technical Services Unit. The teams tried to negotiate with Wilkinson, police said, but were unsuccessful.

Wilkinson was eventually arrested around 3:45 a.m. Saturday. He was taken to Rhode Island Hospital to be evaluated, and remained in police custody ahead of his arraignment on several domestic and weapons charges, police said.

The department thanked the public for their cooperation during the incident, especially those who were forced to evacuate their homes, as well as the emergency department who offered assistance and support.