‘Radio personality’ allegedly assaulted during Warwick missing person live-stream

John DePetro and Diane ‘Ladybug’ Sullivan claim they were accosted while filming outside Mark Perkins’ home, while questioning him on unsolved Charlotte Lester case

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Warwick Police arrested a city man Wednesday, Aug. 17, following a livestreamed melee with a local “radio personality.”

Around 7 p.m., Wednesday Aug. 17, Warwick Police officers responded to the area of 29 Staples Ave. to investigate a reported disturbance.

“Upon arrival, officers spoke with radio personality John DePetro and Diane ‘Ladybug’ Sullivan,” according to a press release from Warwick Police Maj. Andrew P. Sullivan, Operations Bureau Commander. “DePetro and Sullivan had been streaming a Facebook Live episode of DePetro’s show on the street across from of 29 Staples Ave. The address has recently been the focus of a missing person investigation involving Charlotte Lester.”

The Warwick Police Department has requested the public’s help in the ongoing missing person case.

Charlotte Lester of Warwick, was last seen around 10 p.m. Monday, May 16 in the Apponaug section of Warwick, according to Warwick Police. Lester, 44 years old, is described as a white female, 5’7’’, slim to medium build, brown eyes, spotty balding or brown hair that may change in appearance due to the wearing of wigs, according to police.

She was reported as missing by an acquaintance on Thursday, May 19, after she failed to contact her friends for several days. Her dog was located abandoned in the Elmwood Avenue area of Warwick on Wednesday night, May 18, according to Warwick Police. Police are also looking for Lester’s vehicle, a 2006 Red Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, with a black front bumper and aftermarket rims, possibly bearing RI registration 1IL194.

In relation to this investigation, the Warwick Police Department did executed a court-authorized search warrants at 29 Staples Ave. in May. Police described the address as a home “Lester was known to frequent.”

Anyone with information about Charlotte Lester, her vehicle or this case has been asked to contact the Warwick Police Department at 401-468-4233 or 401-468-4200.

Warwick Police reviewed the video captured during the alleged Aug. 17 assault before pressing charges, and executing another search warrant.

“Based on victim and witness statements and the livestreamed video itself, DePetro directed a line of questions at the owner of 29 Staples Ave., Mark Perkins, who was in the front yard of the address wearing an orange ski mask over his head,” according to the Aug. 18 press release from Warwick Police. “Perkins appeared agitated by DePetro’s presence and livestream. Perkins placed a radio at the edge of his lawn playing loud music. Perkins then retrieves a gas lawnmower, starts its engine and aggressively pushes it towards DePetro at which point the livestream video abruptly ends.”

Based on the investigation, Warwick Police arrested Mark Perkins, 62, and charged him with Assault with Intent to Commit Specified Felonies, Larceny, Vandalism and Disorderly Conduct.

“DePetro alleges he was then repeatedly punched and kicked by Perkins who, according to DePetro’s statement, said he would ‘kill him,’” according to the press release. “DePetro alleges Perkins then took his (DePetro’s) cellphone and returned to his property at 29 Staples Ave. DePetro also alleges his video recording equipment was damaged during the incident. DePetro reported he sustained injuries and later sought medical treatment on his own. Diane ‘Ladybug’ Sullivan reported the lawnmower struck her foot however she was not injured and did not wish to press charges.”

Police asked Perkins about DePetro’s cell phone.

“Perkins declined knowledge of the whereabouts of DePetro’s cellphone,” according to the press release. “Based on the investigation a court authorized search warrant was executed at the 29 Staples Avenue property where the missing & damaged cellphone and the orange ski mask were recovered.”

Police said Perkins is expected to be arraigned at 3rd District Court Thursday morning, Aug. 18.

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  • GnomesAndSnails

    Nobody should put their hands on anyone else, however DePetro is an instigator and this was foreseeable. He is nothing more than a "gotcha" reporter. If he really cares about this young lady, he could have gone about the investigation in a much more civil manner.

    Thursday, September 1, 2022 Report this