Man held on $10G bail for alleged shoplifting spree

SALEM – Bail for a man accused of stealing nearly $3,000 in clothes from five stores at the North Shore Mall in Peabody during a crime spree last year remains held on $10,000 cash following his arraignment in Salem Superior Court.Nhut Van Le, 35, of 852 Hyde Park Ave., Hyde Park, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to three counts of larceny over $250, two counts of larceny under $250 as well as a single count for being a common and notorious thief.Judge Timothy Q. Feeley set the bail at the amount recommended by the prosecutor and defense, and agreed to leave the door open for a bail review at another court hearing.Van Le is scheduled to be back in court Jan. 9 for a pre-trial conference.In the meantime, he remains held at the Norfolk House of Corrections.The charges arise out of a crime spree that began Nov. 29, 2010 when he allegedly stole $1,500 in merchandise from the North Face Store at the North Shore Shopping Center in Peabody.A month later, Dec. 30, he allegedly returned to the mall and stole $519 from the Express, $340 from Abercrombie and also clothing merchandise from Hollister and the Gap.Van Le has a history of various shoplifting and larceny charges dating back to 1993, according to reports.Assistant District Attorney Kim M. Faitella is prosecuting the case for the state.Van Le has been declared indigent and a public defender will be assigned to represent him. The state will pay all costs, but he is responsible for $150 toward his legal representation.