Accused bank robber pleads innocent; held on $10G

SALEM – Bail for Joseph Hickson, who is facing a potential life sentence for participating in the robbery of a Peabody bank, remains at $10,000 following his arraignment Wednesday in Salem Superior Court.Hickson, 27, of 34 Temple St., West Roxbury, pleaded innocent to stealing by confining and putting in fear and larceny of property worth more than $250.As jointly recommended by the prosecutor and defense, Judge John T. Lu agreed to set the same bail amount as previously set in Peabody District Court, with the option for the defense to seek a bail review at another court date.In the meantime, Hickson remains held in lieu of bail at Middlesex County Jail.The charges arise out of an incident on Oct. 11 when police say Hickson walked into the TD Bank, located at 10 Main St. in downtown Peabody, with a note demanding cash and reportedly fled with $5,010.Authorities believe Hickson, wearing dark shorts, a black hooded sweatshirt and an Addidas hat, fled on foot to a waiting getaway car outside where Scott Sharek, 24, and Jennifer Maxwell, 26, were inside.The robbery took place around 3:30 p.m. No weapon was reportedly shown during the robbery.Assistant District Attorney James P. Gubitose indicted the three suspects under what is referred to as a joint-venture theory.Hickson is due back in court on March 29 for a pretrial hearing on his case.