Crime & Safety

Police Bust 29 During Busy Black Friday, Holiday Weekend

One Salem shopper was arrested on three different charges after an incident at Target.

Local shoppers were mostly well-behaved over Thanksgiving weekend as throngs of deal-seekers packed local stores and malls, although Salem police said there were still many arrests and calls for service.

Deputy Police Chief Shawn Patten said his department received more than 500 calls for service and made a total of 29 arrests on a variety of charges.

Only one shopper was arrested on conduct-related charges, according to Patten. Rena Samith, 27, of Lowell, Mass., was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and trespassing at Target on Nov. 27.

Samith was released on $2,000 personal recognizance bail.

Patten said police were "certainly busy," but he said it was a positive thing that the weekend paled in comparison to past years in terms of Black Friday issues and the total number of arrests.


More to come.

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