45°
The victim, who recovered from her injuries, was having drinks with friends at the Bel Posto restaurant on Prospect Avenue last June 17 when Steven B. Schaffel got up from where he was sitting, passed by and deliberately ignited her hair, authorities said.
Fellow patrons quickly snuffed the flames — some using placemats — while Schaffel ducked out, Hackensack Police Director Michael Mordaga told CLIFFVIEW PILOT at the time.
“According to her, the two had had disagreements and disputes in the past,” Mordaga said.
Investigators interviewed several witnesses but couldn’t find Schaffel, who’d left the state, he said.
He showed up at city police headquarters with his lawyer three weeks later, posted $10,000 bail and was released pending grand jury action.
MUGSHOT: Courtesy HACKENSACK PD
Click here to follow Daily Voice Hackensack and receive free news updates.
