Man Faces Assault, Threat Charges After Manhunt Near Beverly-Wenham Line

A Salem man police were hunting after a reported kidnapping in Wenham on Friday night is now facing charges of threats to commit a crime and armed assault, according to Wenham police.

Justin Raymond, 23, of 10 Silver St. in Salem may also face further charges as police investigate, police said.

It started at 10:17 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1 when police were called to 40 Topsfield Road (Route 97) for a reported assault and kidnapping. The home is about one-third of a mile north of the Beverly line.

Initially, police were told that the female homeowner was assaulted with a dangerous weapon and her daughter was “forcibly removed from the home.”

The victim was found about an hour later at a nearby home. She did not have any apparent injuries and was taken to Beverly Hospital, where she was treated and released.

Police didn’t say whether Raymond knew the victim beforehand, but initial reports described the two as boyfriend-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend/ex-girlfriend. A Boston Globe report described the victim as an “acquaintance” of Raymond’s. The report also said the mother was 55-years-old and the daughter 21.

Police from Wenham, assisted by Beverly, Danvers and Topsfield police hunted for Raymond with help from State Police troopers, several State Police K9’s and a State Police helicopter.

Raymond was found about an hour later in the storage area under the three-season porch at a Burnham Road residence, not far from the victim’s home. Wenham police Sgt. Jonathan Gray and officers David Marsh and Shane Kavanagh initially responded to the call and Marsh and Gray are continuing to investigate.