Hanover Township man charged with threatening former co-worker

KINGSTON — A man from Hanover Township was arraigned Sunday night on allegations he threatened employees at his former place of employment in Kingston.

Matthew E. Fritz, 36, of Main Road, threatened to beat and shoot a man he previously worked with at a pizzeria restaurant in the 600 block of Market Street on Friday, according to court records.

Fritz worked at the restaurant and voluntarily quit after an argument with a co-worker Friday morning, court records say.

After quitting employment, court records say, Fritz called the restaurant stating he was going to beat up a man, and sent text messages stating, “Y’all thought I was playing about it, that’s funny,” and “I’m coming in at 4 p.m. and beating this (expletive) to death.”

Employees at the restaurant told police Fritz stood at the front window wearing a mask and goggles Friday night, court records say.

Fritz was arraigned by District Judge Rick Cronauer in Wilkes-Barre on charges of risking a catastrophe and terroristic threats. He was released on $10,000 unsecured bail.