A 34-year-old Centralia man has been ordered held without bond after being formally charged in Marion County Court on Thursday with a Class X offense of armed robbery and several other charges.
Joshua Benjamin of South Cherry is charged with taking a bicycle from a homeless man on a parking lot in Wamac on October first while armed with a pipe. He’s charged in two counts of aggravated battery for allegedly striking the man in his body with the pipe. A felony theft charge has been filed for taking the bicycle. The alleged victim did not require hospital treatment.
When Centralia Police took him into custody on October 6th, he was arrested for obstructing justice and resisting or obstructing a peace officer. Benjamin is accused of running from the officer after refusing to turn over items concealed on his person. The chase resulted in a shoulder injury to the officers. He’s also accused of swallowing a suspected fentanyl capsule.
Benjamin is due back in court October 22nd for a preliminary hearing. A public defender has been appointed to represent him.
