Police looking for suspect in Cape Girardeau domestic assault

Police are looking for a 24-year-old Cape Girardeau man suspected of assaulting his girlfriend over a two-day period and, when he was gone, keep her confined to their apartment.

Law enforcement from several different agencies are searching for Joseph R. Hurt, who has been charged with second-degree domestic assault with a cash-only $25,000 bond, said Darin Hickey of the Cape Girardeau Police Department. The alleged victim made the report at about 8 p.m. Monday and officers responded to the apartment at the 2800 block of Themis Street.

The woman told police that she had been assaulted by Hurt, her live-in boyfriend, which she said began on Sunday afternoon and continued through Monday. Hickey would not go into detail, except to say it was periodic and when Hurt left, he would lock the woman inside the apartment so she could not leave or call police.

Hickey said she sustained moderate injuries that were not life threatening. The victim made the report after the suspect had left the residence, Hickey said. Officers from Sikeston, Scott County and Cape Girardeau County are assisting the department in the search, Hickey said.

Hickey said those with information should contact the department at 335-6621 or Cape Girardeau Crime Stoppers at 339-6312.

Pertinent address:

2800 Themis Street, Cape Girardeau, MO