DANVERS — A New Hampshire man accused of snatching a tray of gold wedding bands worth more than $10,000 from a Danvers jewelry store last June was indicted Wednesday by an Essex County grand jury.
Stephen Ham, 43, of Nashua has also been charged in a series of other robberies around Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire during a spree last spring and summer in which his wife, Debra Ham, 46, was allegedly at the wheel of a getaway car.
He was arrested following a police chase into Lowell last July.
On June 9, Ham walked into Carter's Fine Jewelry on Route 114 and asked to see some wedding bands, according to a police report.
When a saleswoman pulled out a tray containing 64 rings, Ham grabbed it and fled to a getaway car waiting in a nearby parking lot, police said. The pair quickly made their way to Interstate 95 and were last seen heading north.
Police learned later that the rings had been pawned in New Hampshire — where Ham allegedly used his own identification to make the transactions at pawn shops.
A warrant for Ham was issued in September. He was arraigned on the charge in November.
Wednesday's indictment moves the case from Salem District Court to Salem Superior Court, where he faces a more severe penalty, a potential life sentence.
The case is being prosecuted by James Gubitose.
Ham is being held on $10,000 cash bail and is expected to be arraigned within the next several weeks.
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
