The brother of a former Department of Defense employee who was arrested Tuesday after bringing a gun to a Jersey City mall told authorities the man left for work each morning in a law enforcement uniform and came home at night as if he had spent the day at work.

He had no idea Julio Concepcion, 59, had lost his government job 10 years ago and apparently spent his days at the Hudson Mall or at Dunkin' Donuts, only to return home each evening as if he had worked.

The revelation was one of several stunning details to emerge from Concepcion's first appearance on charges stemming from the incident at shopping mall on Route 440 in Jersey City.

Concepcion, 59, who lives with his brother and a friend on Boyd Court in Jersey City, was arrested Tuesday when an off-duty police officer saw him wearing a suspicious-looking police-type uniform and carrying a handgun and mace canister in a utility belt inside the mall, Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor William Specht said.

Concepcion told police on Tuesday that he is a retired federal law enforcement officer, but authorities have not determined his position in the Department of Defense, Specht said.

It is believed that Concepcion was working at a DoD facility associated with Fort Monmouth in Eatontown, and he was part of a downsizing in 2006. Fort Monmouth closed in 2011.

Police found a second handgun, hollow-point bullets and two bullet-proof vests in his car, which was parked outside the mall, authorities said. The uniform he was wearing had a patch in the shape of a shield that said "U.S. Police."

Concepcion posted a $50,000 cash-or-bond bail following his arrest, but a warrant was issued Wednesday when he failed to appear for his first hearing that afternoon.

When police re-arrested him at his home on Wednesday, they found an arsenal of legal weapons, including 46 rifles and 12 handguns, belonging to his brother. Police also found an illegal pump action 12-gauge shotgun equipped with a pistol grip, removed stock, and an oversized magazine, Specht said, adding that the weapon is considered an assault weapon because of its modifications.

Concepcion does not have a permit to own a firearm, Specht added.

During Thursday's hearing, defense attorney Amanda Hickey argued that bail should be set and a psychiatric evaluation ordered.

Hudson County Superior Court Judge Edward DeFazio complied, setting his bail at $250,000, cash only. DeFazio also ordered the money posted for Concepcion's original $50,000 bail returned, and that Concepcion undergo a psychiatric evaluation at Hudson County jail in Kearny.

"Clearly based on the facts and description of the incident, the court has concerns about the mental state of Mr. Concepcion," said DeFazio, the former Hudson County Prosecutor. "We are concerned on whether he is a danger to himself and others.

"The fact that he was in a public place with a loaded handgun is very disturbing."

Journal city editor Patrick Villanova contributed to this report.