Junk-car dealer dies from beating

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Police said a Rhode Island dealership owner who was struck with a two-by-four in a fight over a junk-car deal that went wrong has died.

Providence police Maj. David Lapatin said I Buy Junk Cars owner Jonathan Stack died Saturday night, a day after the beating.

Customer Daniel Lastarza was charged Friday with two felony assault counts in Providence District Court. Police said the charges will be upgraded to murder.

The 48-year-old Lastarza had been ordered held without bail in connection with a previous probation violation. It wasn't clear Sunday whether he had a lawyer.

Police say they believed the fight occurred when the 34-year-old Stack tried to get his money back over the $400 junk-car deal.

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