Alleged robbery and gun theft land Naselle man in handcuffs

Published 6:43 am Thursday, February 27, 2025

NASELLE — Animosity over a questionable $3,000 coin purchase has resulted in a man being arrested for allegedly attacking the seller. The incident reportedly unfolded on Feb. 23 on Leshowitz Road in Naselle.

The incident happened after David E. Starr, 72, purchased a $3,000 coin, which he later allegedly determined was not worth that amount.

He reportedly went to the seller’s home and confronted him after a phone call between the two, during which he learned the payment had been deposited.

“[The alleged victim] stated that five minutes after the call had ended, Starr opened the door to his shop where he has a bed and sleeps and came in uninvited,” the investigating deputy, Justin Smith, stated in court records.

“[The alleged victim] stated that him and Starr got into a verbal altercation and Starr picked up a wooden box and threw it at him and then charged [at him]. [The alleged victim] stated that this knocked him to the ground, and Starr got on top of him and started strangulating him with both hands.”

The alleged victim reportedly pried Starr’s hands off his throat and began fighting back against the alleged attacker. He apparently snagged a .410 shotgun to defend himself and instead allegedly found himself in a battle for control of the weapon.

“[The alleged victim] stated Starr closed the distance, and they started fighting over possession of the shotgun, which Starr managed to [get],” Smith stated. “[The alleged victim] stated that he grabbed a nearby crutch and was going to swing on Starr, and Starr was holding the shotgun by the barrel and appeared that he was going to swing it at him,” Smith added.

According to court records, the alleged victim told Starr to “leave his property” and that he was “going to call 911,” and Starr replied he did not care. The alleged victim also reportedly demanded that Starr drop the firearm, which he then left with, stating, “It’s his now.”

Smith states in his report that he observed marks on the alleged victim consistent with a struggle and altercation.

Smith and Deputy Sean Eastham reportedly located Starr at his residence on Upper Naselle Road and apparently observed him hiding. He allegedly came to the door after his grandson answered it and said he would get him.

“Starr stated that he went over to [the alleged victim’s] residence to talk to him, and [the alleged victim] pulled a shotgun on him, and he took the shotgun so he would not get shot in the back,” Smith stated in court records.

“I asked Starr if him and [the alleged victim] got into a struggle and he stated no. I asked Starr why [the alleged victim] would have marks on his neck, and he stated that it happened when they were on the ground. It appeared that Starr was attempting to deceive myself and Deputy Eastham,” Smith added.

Starr reportedly retrieved the shotgun, which was apparently hidden inside his garage, and handed it over to the deputies.

He was subsequently arrested and booked into the Pacific County Jail for first-degree robbery, residential burglary, second-degree assault, and theft of a firearm.

According to court records, Starr appeared for a preliminary hearing in Pacific County Superior Court on Feb. 24. Judge Donald J. Richter set the man’s bail at $10,000, which has since been posted.

Court records show Starr currently faces a second-degree robbery charge and is scheduled to appear for an arraignment hearing on Feb. 28.

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