Two Camden men charged in random attacks near Independence Mall

Two Camden men have been charged with viciously beating and robbing passersby near Independence Mall.

Santos Centeno, 46, and Baldwin Centeno, 25, were arrested last week and charged by federal authorities for the June 16 and June 20 incidents.

Prosecutors claim the men drove to Independence Mall with the intent to rob and attack passersby. On June 16, the two men allegedly beat a 35-year-old man who was looking for his car. The victim was beaten so severely that he required surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation, prosecutors claimed. The Centenos allegedly stole the victim’s wallet and cell phone.

A few days later, the pair allegedly attacked a husband and wife walking to their car from a nearby restaurant. The husband and wife fought the attackers off, but sustained minor scrapes and bruises. The defendants allegedly stole the husband’s wallet and cell phone.

Prosecutors claim both men have several previous convictions. Santos Centeno was on parole in New Jersey at the time of the alleged attacks and has a firearms charge pending in Camden.

If convicted, they each face up to 41 years in prison, a fine of $1.25 million, and three years of supervised release.