Sheriff: Armed Man in Morristown Plaza 'Up To No Good'

Nearly two weeks after a man was arrested in Morristown’s Headquarters Plaza for carrying weapons, illegal ammunition, and wearing a bullet-proof vest, Morris County Sheriff Edward Rochford says he’s been approached by dozens of residents scared for their safety and that of their children.

As of Monday afternoon, Rochford said he had received 62 emails from Morris County residents asking what can be done and how security at the high-profile building is being increased.

A sticking point for residents, Rochford said, is the lack of a psychological evaluation ordered by a judge in Morristown on Andrew Pfitzenmayer.

Pfitzenmayer, 26, of Peapack-Gladstone, was arrested Wednesday, July 29 after police were called to the building in reference to someone “acting suspiciously,” Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp said.

Pfitzenmayer was allegedly found with two Glock 9MM handguns (both legally owned), 15 rounds of hollow-point bullets, a bullet-proof vest, fake badge, policeman’s baton, and a backpack filled with handcuffs.

See related:

• Prosecutor: Man ‘Acting Suspiciously’ Had Glocks, Hollow-Point Bullets in Morristown Plaza
• Man With 2 Guns in Morristown Also Had Bullet-Proof Vest, Bag Full of Handcuffs
• $100K Bail Posted for Man Found With Guns, Illegal Ammo, Handcuffs in Morristown
• Morristown Mayor Calls for Stronger Laws on Psych Evaluations After Man Found With Guns, Illegal Ammo at HQ Plaza
• Glocks Legally Owned by Man ‘Acting Suspiciously’ in Morristown Plaza

Pfitzenmayer was arrested and lodged in Morris County Correctional Facility in lieu of $100,000 bail. During his first court appearance, despite a recommendation by assistant prosecutor Matthew Troiano, Judge Stephen Taylor did not order a psychological evaluation for Pfitzenmayer, who then posted bail on Monday, Aug. 3.

The no-go on the evaluation caused Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty to hold a press conference last week calling for New Jersey legislators to impose mandated mental testing for anyone arrested for carrying a firearm in a public place.

“I share that same concern with residents and parents who bring their children to daycare or the movies [at Headquarters Plaza],” Rochford said. “With what’s happened in the world over the past two or three years, with shootings at movie theaters and public places… I’ve been on the job 50 years. [Pfitzenmayer] was up to no good. No good at all.”

Rochford said his office has been working with the Morristown Police department on enhanced measures in the area, and Pfitzenmayer’s photo has been distributed to personnel at the county courthouse as well as all area police departments.

While Rochford’s office has no sway over the court proceedings, the sheriff said he has passed all the correspondence sent to him over to the judiciary.

Pfitzenmayer’s mother told the Daily Record that her son was in the building for job-related purposes. Pfitzenmayer has retained an attorney and is due back in court on Aug. 25.