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Court proceedings in Manhattan on that day disclosed that police officers connected to the capture of the suspect were so skeptical of a tip on his location that they joked regarding a prize sandwich in SMS exchanges.

"My supervisor said, 'if you get the New York City gunman, I’ll purchase you a hoagie from a local restaurant,'" stated under oath Officer Joseph Detwiler of the Pennsylvania police department. "I said, 'Consider it accomplished.'"

In less than an hour, Detwiler discovered that this seemingly spurious tip was accurate.

A Capture at a Fast-Food Eatery

The suspect was apprehended in Pennsylvania at a fast-food chain on 9 December 2024 in connection with the murder of Brian Thompson. The CEO's fatal shooting on a New York City road on 4 December 2024 had ignited a widespread manhunt and fueled public anger.

In response to dispatch's orders, Detwiler and a colleague went to the McDonald's. "I saw the male seated at a booth there, near the restrooms," Detwiler testified. The man was wearing a large jacket, tan hat and blue face covering, just as the tipster had said.

Detwiler inquired of the man for his name and clarified that "someone contacted authorities, they believed you were suspicious". He asked for ID, which the man provided. This ID would prove to be fake.

Detwiler also asked the man to pull down his mask. "I realized it was him immediately," Detwiler said.

Legal Proceedings and Proof Challenge

Detwiler's testimony came on the second day of a possibly multi-day hearing about if evidence was gathered improperly during Mangione's encounter with police. Mangione's lawyers have consistently argued for the exclusion of evidence secured during his arrest, claiming he was not promptly advised of his constitutional rights.

The dispatch tape documenting Detwiler's call was presented in court.

"We have a male in the restaurant that resembles the NYC shooter," the operator told Detwiler.

Detwiler replied: "Affirmative. We will be on that."

When asked regarding his demeanor, Detwiler explained, "At the time, I was being semi-sarcastic when I said. Frankly, I did not believe it was going to be the person that they thought it was."

A Critical Moments After Identification

Detwiler testified he "stayed composed" after recognizing Mangione and called his supervisor. "Correct, he's present. It's him," Detwiler recalled saying.

On the call, Detwiler emphasized that he was not joking. "He was surprised, since he was the one who texted me the text message when we got the call," about the promised sandwich.

Detwiler tried to behave as casually as he could, informing Mangione that officers were there over reports that he had been lingering too long. Officer-worn footage depicted the suspect eating food.

"I inquired him if it was a particular menu item," Detwiler said. He replied affirmatively. "I then said it was my preferred item." His goal, he said, was "just attempting to keep things calm and normal."

The Role of the Face Covering

The extent of a factor Mangione's mask played in drawing attention is debatable.

When questioned about the prevalence of masks in the area, Detwiler responded, "People here don't use face coverings. They have antibodies."

And since "hardly anyone uses them" in that locale, Detwiler knew the man they would subsequently identify as Mangione was the person who had caused suspicion. "The individual had a face covering on," Detwiler testified. "Therefore he had to be the man we were called there for."

Legal Defense Questioning

Karen Agnifilo, among Mangione's counsel, examined Detwiler once the state concluded its inquiry. She focused on details about his recognition of Mangione.

Agnifilo highlighted that the dispatch call was labeled as "not urgent". "It didn't sound serious on the dispatch, no," Detwiler conceded. She also questioned that lights and sirens were not activated.

Agnifilo implied through her line of inquiry that the speed of the identification seemed off. "So, in that instant, two seconds into observing him, you know: he's the New York City murder suspect?"

Detwiler again that he knew. "Absolutely no uncertainty in my thoughts."

Agnifilo also attempted to establish that her client was held without being apprised of his Miranda rights. She asked about the police's placement in the restaurant, implying they were standing to prevent him from leaving.

Detwiler said that he and his fellow officer required space. "We're not going to position ourselves next to each other and hold each other's hands."