By: Richard L. Smith
A former Garfield police sergeant has been arrested following an investigation into a series of paintball shootings that targeted vehicles across five Bergen County communities, including one incident in which a woman was struck in the head.
According to a statement released by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, 30-year-old Anthony M. Pizzi of Pompton Lakes was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, weapons offenses, and criminal mischief.
Authorities said the incidents occurred between September 18 and September 24 in Fair Lawn, Garfield, Hasbrouck Heights, Lodi, and Wallington.
Investigators said paintball rounds were fired at both parked and moving vehicles during the series of incidents.
One of the more serious encounters occurred September 22 in Fair Lawn, where authorities said a paintball was fired through the open window of a vehicle and struck an adult female driver in the head. She was not seriously injured.
Police in the affected municipalities began separate investigations before authorities identified similarities among the incidents and developed information about a possible suspect vehicle.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office then joined the investigation, with detectives and officers reviewing surveillance video, police reports, and statements from victims.
Authorities said the investigation ultimately identified Pizzi as the person allegedly responsible for the incidents.
Pizzi, who authorities said was formerly employed as a sergeant with the Garfield Police Department, was located and arrested September 25 on Route 46 in South Hackensack.
He faces one count of aggravated assault, nine counts each of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon, along with nine counts of criminal mischief.
Pizzi was taken to the Bergen County Jail pending his first appearance in Superior Court in Hackensack.
The investigation involved the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and police departments in Fair Lawn, Garfield, Hasbrouck Heights, Lodi, Wallington, and South Hackensack.