Following Bomb Scare at Avon Cinema in Providence, Three Adults, One Juvenile Arrested

Following Bomb Scare at Avon Cinema in Providence, Three Adults, One Juvenile Arrested

Three adults turned themselves into Providence police on Wednesday for their role in emptying an East Side movie theater in June -- when audience members believed their lives were at risk. 

As GoLocal was first to report, patrons had fled the Avon Cinema during a movie screening at the end of June due to what they believed was a threat of violence by the now identified suspects. 

Erik Pena, Phy’Nell Muskelly, and Jevren Powell — all aged 19 — are being charged with “disturbance of public assemblies,” after going into the Thayer Street theater on Monday, June 26, when witnesses said the suspects said they had a bomb. 

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According to police, a juvenile suspect — who has also been arrested — told police he had only announced in the theater that he “had a boner,” and admitted that the group had set out to “troll” the public for video and social media purposes. 

The adult suspects were arrested and released, and are due back in court later in July. 

Police say there are still additional suspects at large. 

Disturbing the Peace 

As GoLocal was first to report on Tuesday, June 27:

Police were called to the Avon on Thayer Street shortly after 9:30 PM Monday night for an initial report of suspects with guns. 

Theater employees told police that a group of approximately 8-10 individuals entered the theater, went into the seating area, and "stated they had a bomb." 

The audience of roughly 100 fled the theater, and some told theater management that the subjects had entered the cinema with guns. 

The suspects then ran out of the theater and "took off down Thayer Street," according to witnesses.