A 57-year-old Centralia man has been charged in Marion County Court with stalking and domestic battery.
Darrin Venters of Community Beach Road is accused of stalking an alleged female victim from January 1st to March 18th.
Venters was arrested following a March 18th incident where he is accused of pulling up next to the victim at Farm Fresh West, opening the driver’s door, and grabbing the alleged victim’s purse because he needed money. After the victim asked for her purse back, Venters is accused of grabbing her phone, knocking her glasses off her face, and grabbing her right arm.
When Venters allegedly came out of the store, he dropped the purse and went over to the victim’s son, and struck him in the right ear with a closed fist leading to the domestic battery charge.
Police say the victim had called police numerous times regarding Venters showing up at her place of work and at her residence. As a result, both the victim and her son were granted Emergency Orders of Protection on Thursday.
The States Attorney’s office attempted to hold Venters without bond on the charges, but the petition was denied by Judge Mark Stedelin.
The Public Defender was appointed to represent Venters.
