Police: Delco man beat girlfriend; threatened electrocution

UPLAND, Pa. - February 7, 2012 (WPVI) -- Police in Delaware County say a man is charged in the brutal beating of his girlfriend, during which he allegedly attempted to electrocute her with a hair dryer in the shower.

26-year-old David C. Aungst III was arrested Saturday at his Upland Borough home. He is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated and simple assault, kidnapping to inflict terror, terroristic threats, reckless endangerment and related offenses.

Police interviewed the victim at Crozer-Chester Medical Center. She told investigators that on Saturday morning she and Aungst got into an argument at his home, located on Seventh Street. When she tried to leave, he refused to let her out  holding her against her will for hours.

During the incident she claims he repeatedly kicked and punched her. At one point she attempted to flee into the bathroom, but Aungst kicked open the door. He then allegedly ripped off her shirt and bra, turned the cold water on in the shower and picked up a hair dryer saying he planned to electrocute her.

When his girlfriend resisted his effort to push her into the shower, Aungst allegedly threw her to the ground and choked her with his hands.

She managed to fight him off and quickly ran down the stairs. The victim made for the door but Aungst threw her to the ground and allegedly punched her in the eye. When he got off her, she managed to make it to her feet and escape through the back door to a neighboring residence across the street.

The victim banged on the neighbor's door but no one answered. When Aungst caught up to her he allegedly grabbed her by the neck and dragged her back to his house.

The victim told police she attempted to leave several times after that, but each attempt to flee resulted in a beating.

Aungst fell asleep around 10:00 a.m., giving the victim an opportunity to escape. Aungst was still asleep when police arrived at his home around 1:00 p.m., and during his arrest four Xanax pills were found in his front pocket.

Aungst is being held in lieu of $50,000 cash bail. A hearing is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday.

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delaware county, pennsylvania, assault, beating, crime

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