A 19-year-old Centralia man faces four felony charges for his role in allegedly battering and stealing a phone from a juvenile boy as he was walking down a street.

Dakota Bender of Melrose Avenue was charged in Marion County Court Monday with aggravated battery, mob action, robbery, and theft.

Four juveniles were earlier arrested and have all been charged with the April 24th incident.

Centralia Police say the group approached the juvenile while he was walking in the 1100 block of South Cherry to a family member’s home.  He was reportedly grabbed by the neck, punched, and kicked about the body and head after being taken to the ground.  His phone was taken during the process.   The victim later went to the Centralia Police Department to report the incident.

After probable cause was found to proceed with the charges against Bender, a request to hold him without bond by the prosecution was rejected and Bender was released on pretrial conditions.

A public defender was appointed to represent him.  He’s due back in court for a preliminary hearing on September 2nd.