Man pleads innocent to jewelry theft in Peabody

SALEM – A Tewksbury man accused of stealing thousands of dollars worth of jewelry from Nordstrom’s Department Store in Peabody remains free on $500 bail.Stephen P. Brennan, 57, of 2499 Main St., appeared Friday in Salem Superior Court, pleading innocent to a charge of larceny more than $250 before Judge John T. Lu.Authorities say on Nov. 29 Brennan apparently walked into the North Shore department store, went to the jewelry counter and asked to see several gold items. He grabbed about $3,000 worth of assorted jewelry and fled from the store.Police responding immediately to the scene arrested Brennan in the parking lot. He reportedly made a statement admitting to the crime.Brennan faces up to five years in state prison if convicted on the charge.He is due back in court on May 4 for a pretrial conference.Because he was deemed indigent, meaning he has no money to pay for a defense lawyer, a public defender was appointed for him, but he has to pay $150 towards that legal representation. The state will pay all other costs associated with his case.