Man Arrested for Ripping Awning at Morandi

A 27-year-old faces criminal mischief charges after allegedly tearing the awning of the Greenwich Village restaurant Mor...

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MANHATTAN — A 27-year-old man was arrested for allegedly tearing the awning of a Greenwich Village eatery owned by famed restaurateur Keith McNally early Friday morning. 

Eric M. Acosta was arrested at approximately 2:15 a.m. Friday after he allegedly leapt into the air in front of Morandi, an Italian restaurant at 211 Waverly Pl., and grabbed the dark red awning that stretches over its sidewalk tables, according to a criminal complaint. 

Acosta allegedly "jump[ed] up and use[d] both hands to hold onto and pull the awning of the restaurant, causing the awning to rip completely," the complaint said.

When Acosta was arrested, police allegedly found a "small glass vial" of marijuana in one of his front pockets. 

He faces a misdemeanor charge for criminal mischief with the intent to damage property and a violation for unlawful possession of marijuana. He is due in court Aug. 20. 

Acosta's attorney, David Smiley, declined to comment on the accusations.

McNally — who also owns Balthazar, Pastis, Minetta Tavern — did not immediately return a request for comment about the incident or the awning, which will cost about $1,000 to replace, according to the complaint. 

A 27-year-old was arrested June 29, 2012 for allegedly tearing the awning of the Waverly Place restaurant Morandi

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