Austin Reges

VENANGO TWP — A 23-year-old man is in the Butler County Prison on suspicion of breaking a former friend's jaw.

State police Sunday arrested Austin Jay Reges of Penn Township on felony assault and other charges for allegedly sucker punching his one-time buddy earlier this month.

The victim, David Hindman of Venango Township, told police that Reges turned on him after accusing him of cheating with Reges' girlfriend, according to court documents.

Hindman, who needed treatment at more than one hospital for his facial injury, reported the incident March 10 — a week after it happened.

The victim's jaw was “wired shut,” police said, and it was still bruised and swollen.

He recounted that Reges picked him up after work March 3 and the two later drove to an area near Hindman's home on Eau Claire Road where they often hung out and partied.

But when they got out of their vehicle, documents said, the defendant confronted Hindman “about him cheating with Reges' girlfriend.”

The victim said when he turned away, Reges punched him in the back of the jaw. The suspect wanted to fight more, police said, but the badly injured Hindman fled.

He told investigators that he returned home “spitting blood” and went to the hospital. He ended up going to a different hospital for further treatment.

Hindman said he reported the incident to police once he got out of the hospital.

Troopers interviewed the defendant Saturday at the barracks.

“Reges advised he was not friends with Hindman anymore due to possible cheating with his girlfriend,” according to a police affidavit.

He admitted picking up his former pal at work March 3 and going to a party, but he claimed he left with two other women, who he would not identify

During the interview, police said, the suspect told troopers that Hindman “ain't got nothing on me,” and that what the victim told investigators was only “hearsay.”

But when police advised Reges that the alleged assault was being investigated as a felony, documents said, his tone changed somewhat.

“I'll tell you everything and talk if you can promise I don't get a felony,” he allegedly told the troopers.

At that point, police said they ended the interview and arrested Reges.

He was arraigned on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment. He was placed in the county prison on $15,000 bail following arraignment.