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Michael Comas, 24, of Cliffside Park pleaded guilty to theft of services — a disorderly persons offense — in a Hackensack courtroom. He theoretically could be sentenced to up to six months in prison but will more likely receive probation and a fine.
His co-defendant, 56-year-old Keith Koeppel of Lodi, has not accepted a plea offer, insisting that he didn’t injure the manager, Assistant Bergen County Prosecutor Ryan Magee told CLIFFVIEW PILOT.
The manager, who refused medical attention, told police at the time that the pair spoke to one another in English and Hebrew while in the Hackensack Avenue restaurant just off westbound Route 4 last Oct. 14.
When they left without paying, he said, he chased them into the lot and was bumped by the fleeing vehicle.
Authorities said the manager and Comas have agreed to testify against Koeppel if he goes to trial.
Hackensack police arrested Koeppel at his home on Nov. 13 after a viewer recognized the North Bergen native in a story posted about the incident.
Comas was taken into custody at his girlfriend’s house in Stamford, CT six days later.
STORY / PHOTO: CLIFFVIEW PILOT Courthouse Reporter Mary K. Miraglia
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