MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A man who was just trying to help what he thought was a stranded motorist early Wednesday morning ended up robbed and in the hospital.
State Police said Dallas Scott Shaffer, 18, is facing charges after the attack on Route 119 in Monongalia County. Troopers said Shaffer’s vehicle had allegedly broken down along the road when David Epsztein stopped to see if he could help. Epsztein told troopers Shaffer was using an aluminum baseball bat as a crow bar, looking for a set of jumper cables under a large load of scrap metal he was hauling.
Epsztein offered his cell phone and jumper cables. Shaffer used Epsztein’s phone and thanked him for the help. However, as Epsztein walked away, Shaffer allegedly hit Epsztein in the head with the bat and demanded his wallet. Troopers said Shaffer hit Epsztein at least three times before stealing his wallet and cell phone. He fled the scene and was eventually apprehended on Interstate 79.
Epsztein was taken to Ruby Memorial Hospital for head injuries.
Shaffer has been charged with malicious wounding, armed robbery and being a fugitive from justice in Marion County.
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Comments
me
And hes going have a failure to appear charge when they let this POS out on bond and hes doesn't show up for his court date
June 19, 2014 at 8:51 am | Report comment
Tommy
Bond was set at $100,000, he did not get bailed out.
June 19, 2014 at 4:18 pm | Report comment
Hillbilly
No good deed goes unpunished !!
June 19, 2014 at 7:35 am | Report comment
DP
David-Sounds like you are a real decent guy and I sure hope you are not injured too severely-get well soon!
Shaffer-You LOWLIFE SCUMBAG-I hope you get the ABSOLUTE MAX and are Used and Abused EVERY NIGHT of your incarceration you POS!!!!
June 18, 2014 at 9:59 pm | Report comment
becki ro
The fact that he is only be charged with malicious wounding is ridiculous. That is attempted murder! Get well soon David.
June 18, 2014 at 4:24 pm | Report comment
Tommy
David is my best friend. Thankfully he is OK, and was released yesterday with a severe concussion.
He is a great guy and never deserved this, not that anyone does.
Mr. Shaffer is being held without bail after attempting to flee the state. He is a convicted felon already and was charged with malicious wounding. He is done.
June 19, 2014 at 3:23 pm | Report comment
courtesy patrolman
FYI...the malicious wounding charge carries a stiffer penalty than attempted murder.
June 18, 2014 at 4:37 pm | Report comment
willieboy
mike, little william is not a tough guy, he has a water pistol that he plays with in his moms basement in huntington
June 18, 2014 at 4:14 pm | Report comment
Mike
Real tough guy, William. That punk would have probably taken your two buddies away from you and beat you like a rented mule.
June 18, 2014 at 2:53 pm | Report comment
Renee
LOL Mike! Now I have my morning smoothie on my keyboard
June 19, 2014 at 7:42 am | Report comment
william
I never go anywhere around Morgantown without my TWO BUDDIES -
SMITH & WESSON
Go ahead, MAKE MY DAY!
June 18, 2014 at 1:22 pm | Report comment
mook
coutesy patrol is not the focus here! It is the scumsucker who hit the good guy who stopped to help. Maybe two or three rounds with a bat used on him or his arms broke and his jaw would help him understand how things work!
June 18, 2014 at 1:19 pm | Report comment
Renee
Sickening!
June 18, 2014 at 1:08 pm | Report comment
JS
This is why I call the police when I see someone who I think is broke down. I DO NOT STOP ANYMORE. Too many crazy people out there that want to cause you harm. I hope Mr Epsztein has a speedy recovery and the thug spends many years of his useless life in prison.
June 18, 2014 at 10:47 am | Report comment
Ole Sasquatch
If I were the judge there would be a lot of extra hell to pay for this criminal.
June 18, 2014 at 10:26 am | Report comment
Every Day Story
Agree, Ole Sasquatch! Unfortunately, it will be the typical suspended jail time, one-year unsupervised probation, maybe a $100 fine, and back off into society to do it again. Yup, we are the "Land of the Free"... free to murder, steal/rob, rape, etc., etc., etc. with little to no jail time!! Good ol' Justice System!
June 18, 2014 at 10:44 am | Report comment
Tommy
This is Malicious wounding, and he is a convicted Felon. He is toast.
The victim is my best friend. He suffered a severe concussion and was released yesterday from the hospital.
Luckily Mr. Shaffer swings like a girl.
June 19, 2014 at 3:20 pm | Report comment
Hillbilly
Unfortunately, this is exactly why most people will not stop to help you if you break down on the road any more. I don''t either, and I don't blame people for not stopping.
June 18, 2014 at 9:57 am | Report comment
Jim
I agree. I no longer stop to help anyone because you never know who is going to be the one bad person to take your life. It is not worth taking the chance to be nice anymore.
June 18, 2014 at 11:06 am | Report comment
tom m.
in their office making six figure salaries.
June 18, 2014 at 9:56 am | Report comment
DWL
Where was the "courtesy patrol"?
June 18, 2014 at 9:51 am | Report comment
Davey
The Courtesy Patrol isn't allowed more than a mile off route of major road ways, I-79, etc. unless instructed otherwise by the dispatchers from down in Welch, in McDowell County.
June 18, 2014 at 1:47 pm | Report comment
zero tolerance
Courtesy Patrol operates on Interstates and highways designated as "limited access" such as US 50 (4 lane Sections only). US 119 in Morgantown is only a 2 lane Road in that area.
June 18, 2014 at 11:08 am | Report comment