Press Statement  Peabody man arraigned on armed robbery charge

PEABODY — A Peabody man was ordered held without bail on Tuesday after being arraigned on charges he robbed the Kay Jewelers store in the Northshore Mall, Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker announced.

Starlin Batista, 21, had been charged with one count of armed and masked robbery, a felony. Judge Susan McNeil ordered him held pending a dangerousness hearing back in Peabody District Court on April 24.

Batista allegedly entered the store about 12:45 p.m. Monday, demanding gold and jewelry. Peabody Police said he displayed a weapon that turned out to be a BB gun. In his backpack was a note that said employees had two minutes to comply before he started shooting, police said.

Peabody Police later located the suspect nearby and he was captured on Northshore Road after a brief foot chase.

The Commonwealth was represented by Assistant District Attorney April Pagliarulo. Batista was represented by attorney John Lalikos of Peabody.