Two Men Charged Following Attempted Theft

Two men were charged after they allegedly attempted to steal items from the One Stop Shoppe at 134 North Broadway in Salem Monday evening.

Donald Freese III, 20, of Concord, was charged with theft and resisting arrest. Joshua Peno, 20, of Pittsfield, was charged with unarmed robbery, resisting arrest and was arrested on three warrants, two of which originated from Seabrook.

Police said they responded to the store at approximately 5:33 p.m. Monday after receiving a report of a store manager who chased several male subjects "who attempted to steal several items from the store," according to police.

Police said officers located and arrested two suspects behind a nearby plaza as they attempted to enter another business. Brief struggles with officers ensued but both were taken into custody.

The manager at One Stop Shoppe told police he confronted the men in the store as they were concealing cupcakes and other items. When the manager advised the men to put the items back, "one of the males then approached him in a menacing manner and threatened the use of physical force," police said.

Thereafter, the men fled the store on foot, police said.

Both men refused bail and were transported to Rockingham County jail pending arraignment in the 10th District Court in Salem.