SALEM, Mass. — Two men are facing charges after a Dunkin’ manager was kidnapped and robbed at gunpoint in Salem last week, authorities announced Tuesday.
Jose Louis Mendoza-Baez, 26, of Salem, and Yoel Perez-Feliz, 33, of Marblehead, were arrested on charges including armed robbery while armed and masked, carjacking while armed with a firearm, and kidnapping while armed with a firearm, according to the Salem Police Department. According to police, Feliz is the victim’s boyfriend.
Officers responding to a report of an armed robbery at a Dunkin’ in the area of Linden Street and Forest Avenue on the afternoon of Sept. 6 learned the restaurant’s manager was transporting cash deposits when she was attacked, police said.
Rabia Chaghouri was walking down the street when he noticed a car speeding down the wrong side of the road. He later learned the manager of the Dunkin next door was carjacked and robbed at gunpoint.
“I said, wow she was going fast, she should know better, because you know this is a one-way,” said Chaghouri, who owns A-Plus Auto and Truck Repair.
Surveillance video shows the Dunkin manager leaving work when one of the suspects forces her into the passenger seat.
“Those aspects of the crime were really concerning for us,” said Salem Police Lt. Kristian Hanson. “Anytime somebody is held against their will, robbed at gunpoint, we’re going to take it seriously.”
Police later found the victim in her car with her wrists bound by zip-ties.
She told police the suspect stole several thousand dollars from the money she was about to deposit from work.
“Shortly after the incident here in Salem, we were able to capture video of both suspects together,” said Lt. Hanson.
Police say they learned Jose Luis Mendoza Baez and Yoel Perez Feliz were working together to commit this crime.
They also learned Feliz was the victim’s boyfriend.
“We don’t have any reason to believe at this point that the victim had knowledge of what was going to take place,” said Lt. Hanson.
Police say the victim was pretty shaken up, and they believe her boyfriend knew when she’d be depositing big amounts of cash following the Labor Day weekend.
Police say both suspects face serious charges from armed carjacking to kidnapping and armed robbery.
The incident remains under investigation.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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