Shoplifter Indicted on Several Assault, Theft Charges

A shoplifter who attempted to steal merchandise from K-Mart in June has been indicted by a Rockingham County Grand Jury on several charges.

Carmelo Baez, 35, who is currently being held at the Rockingham County Jail in Brentwood, was indicted for second degree assault. Court documents say he punched a male victim in the face which resulted in a broken nose and a fractured facial bone.

Baez was also indicted for criminal threatening when, according to court documents, he threatened to stab the male victim with a knife inside the K-Mart store on June 25 and he was indicted for robbery. Baez was also indicted for theft by unauthorized taking after he tried to steal a cell phone inside of the K-Mart store, according to court documents.

Baez was also indicted for disorderly conduct after he fled from the store and ran into the middle of traffic on South Broadway Street, according to court documents.

He was also indicted for resisting arrest or detention after Salem Police attempted to take him into custody, according to court documents.

An indictment does not indicate guilt, it means that a grand jury has found sufficient evidence to warrant a trial in superior court.