Burglary suspect beat by couple in Cape

It isn't clear what a suspected burglar was looking for when he broke into a Spanish Street apartment, but he left with a bruised and bloodied face.

Cape Girardeau police found Kristoffer Edward Ponzar, 29, of Cape Girardeau, lying on the steps outside an apartment house at 105 S. Spanish, beaten so badly he required hospitalization.

Residents Chasity Pehm and John Harris II told police that Ponzar broke into their apartment shortly before 2:30 a.m. Friday and began fighting them when he was discovered, officer Jason Jurgens wrote in a probable-cause statement filed with the court.

Pehm told police she awoke first and confronted the intruder, who grabbed her and dragged her to the kitchen, Jurgens said. The man began to hit her face with open hands and his fists.

That's when Harris woke up and pulled the man off Pehm. The couple punched and kicked the suspect repeatedly, and Harris dragged Ponzar down the stairs, Jurgens said.

The couple told police they didn't know the man and had never seen him before. Pehm had several scratches and bruises on her face and hands. She and the suspect were taken to Southeast Missouri Hospital for treatment.

Ponzar was charged with first-degree burglary and second-degree assault. He is free on a $15,000 bond in connection with the burglary. He is already on probation for driving while intoxicated. Attempts to contact him by phone and at his home were unsuccessful.

Harris and Pehm declined to comment Wednesday afternoon.

mwells@semissourian.com

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