Peabody Man Accused Of 'Scream' Mask Armed Robbery At Northshore Mall Held Without Bail

PEABODY, MA — A Peabody man accused of robbing the KAY Jewelers at the Northshore Mall on Monday with a BB gun and while wearing a white "Scream" mask was held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on Tuesday.

The Essex County District Attorney's Office said Judge Susan McNeil ordered Starlin Batista, 21, held on the charge of armed and masked robbery, which is a felony, pending the April 24 hearing at Peabody District Court.

Peabody police said on Monday that Batista was accused of entering the store at about 12:45 p.m., demanding gold and jewelry and that he passed a note to an employee stating that the employee had two minutes to comply with the demand before he started shooting.

Police said that the employee reported that Batista displayed a weapon that turned out to be a BB gun.

Police said Batista was found on Northshore Road and arrested after a brief foot chase a short time later. Police said on Monday that several watches and necklaces from the store, along with a black BB gun, were found in his backpack.

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