2 Camden men charged in Old City assaults, robberies

Two Camden men have been charged with assaulting and robbing three people near Independence Hall in two separate incidents last summer.

Santos Centeno, 46, and Baldwin Centeno, 25, were charged with assault and robbery, stemming from incidents in the summer when they allegedly severely beat one victim, and stole a wallet and cell phones from a married couple who had just left a restaurant, according to a federal indictment.

The two, who authorities say are related, were arrested on Nov. 21; Baldwin Centeno was scheduled to be released on bail last Monday, authorities said.

According to the indictment, on June 16 the two beat a 35 year-old man so badly that he underwent numerous surgeries and lengthy rehabilitation and is still not able to return to work.

A few days later, on June 26, their targets were a couple walking to their car after dinner at Buddakan restaurant on Chestnut Street. The victims fought off the attackers and received minor injuries.

After both incidents, the Centenos fled in a gold Ford Taurus, the indictment said.

If convicted, each man faces a maximum sentence of 41 years in prison and fines.