Watch CBS News

Czech National Held After Security Breach At Picatinny Arsenal In New Jersey

ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The threat seemed real when a driver tried to enter at the Picatinny Arsenal U.S. Army installation in Rockaway Township, New Jersey late last week – creating suspicion at the truck entrance.

As CBS2's Christine Sloan reported Monday, the driver – identified as 46-year-old Czech Republic citizen Petr Cifka – was being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Monday night.

At around 11:30 a.m. Friday, an unauthorized driver tried to get through the post gate, Army officials said.

Several area roads were closed around the arsenal which is about 35 miles west of New York City.

"We looked at the vehicle, and it caused some worry and concern," said Picatinny Arsenal Lt. Col. Ingrid Parker.

Cifka was stopped and taken into custody, authorities said. But no explosives were found in his Ford Escort.

"He attempted to enter the installation and he had an expired passport," Parker said. "That's the identification that he presented."

It was still a mystery what Cifka was doing at the U.S. Army installation in the first place.

"We don't want to talk about the ways that we ascertain suspicious or not suspicious vehicles," Parker said. "That is our means of security."

But there was concern that it took two hours to evacuate thousands of employees – the majority of them civilian – whose mission is to develop weapons of war.

Parker said what made evacuation difficult at the installation was that only a few gates were open.

"We would like to do it quicker; it's something we need to practice," she said.

Back in 2003, CBS2's Sloan got a rare glimpse inside Picatinny Arsenal – at rifles, tanks, and a shoulder-launched weapon used to blow up caves in Afghanistan. The arsenal also trains soldiers, using robots to detect explosives.

The same training unit was there Friday investigating along with the FBI, determining the driver was no threat.

Cifka could face deportation, but it was unknown Monday when he would face a judge.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.