Cape Girardeau man arrested on suspicion of assaulting girlfriend, romantic rival

A Cape Girardeau man is facing charges after a domestic dispute early Friday.

According to Cape Girardeau police spokesman Darin Hickey, Benjamin C. Orwig, 36, of Cape Girardeau has been charged with second-degree assault, first-degree burglary, misdemeanor assault of a law enforcement officer, third-degree assault and resisting arrest.

Hickey said officers responded to a call about a disturbance at about 3:40 a.m. Friday. Upon arrival, officers found a man and a woman at an apartment complex at 51 Hazel St. who had both been assaulted.

Hickey said the two were reportedly assaulted during an altercation that began between the woman and Orwig. He said that according to police reports, the woman was in a relationship with Orwig and that he assaulted her and forced her to give him the address of the man she was allegedly having another relationship with.

Orwig and the woman then drove to the man's residence. Hickey said reports allege Orwig hit the man numerous times in the face, pushed him to the ground and continued to assault him.

Orwig was taken the Cape Girardeau County Jail Friday afternoon and held on a $20,000 cash-only bond.