Bail set at $50K for Peabody man accused of robbing Kohl’s store

SALEM – Bail for a Peabody man accused of twice stealing clothing from Kohl’s Department store in Danvers remains at $50,000 cash, after he pleaded innocent.Joseph Kennedy, 21, of 62 Lowell St., third floor, Peabody, entered his pleas of not guilty Friday in Salem Superior Court to stealing by confining or putting in fear, assault with a dangerous weapon and two counts of larceny under $250.Judge Leila R. Kern set the high bail as jointly recommended by the prosecutor and defense, but the defense may seek a bail review at another court hearing.Charges stem from two incidents in Danvers in which Kennedy allegedly stole clothing from Kohl’s Department Store on Nov. 10 and Nov. 17.During the last incident he apparently showed a knife and placed an employee in fear as he grabbed the items.A conviction on the stealing by confining or putting in fear carries a potential life sentence in state prison.Kennedy, who remains held at the Middleton Jail in lieu of bail, is due back in court on April 30 for a pretrial conference.