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Court proceedings in Manhattan on that day revealed that police officers involved with the arrest of Luigi Mangione were so skeptical of a tip on his whereabouts that they bantered regarding a prize hoagie in text messages.

"He said, 'if you get the New York City shooter, I’ll purchase you a hoagie from a nearby eatery,'" testified Officer Joseph Detwiler of the Pennsylvania police department. "In response, I said, 'Consider it done.'"

In under an sixty minutes, Detwiler learned that this apparently spurious tip was accurate.

A Capture at a Fast-Food Restaurant

Mangione was apprehended in Pennsylvania at a McDonald's on 9 December 2024 in relation to the murder of the United HealthCare CEO. Thompson's death on a New York City street on 4 December 2024 had spurred a sprawling manhunt and stoked public outrage.

In response to the call center's instructions, Detwiler and another officer went to the McDonald's. "Upon arrival, I observed the man sitting at a booth there, next to the bathrooms," Detwiler said. The man was dressed in a bulky coat, tan hat and blue face covering, just as the caller had said.

Detwiler inquired of the man for his identification and explained that "a person called, they believed you were suspicious". He requested ID, which the man handed over. This ID would later be revealed as fake.

Detwiler also asked the man to lower his face covering. "I realized it was him immediately," Detwiler stated.

Legal Hearings and Evidence Challenge

The officer's testimony came on the day two of a possibly multi-day proceeding concerning if evidence was collected illegally during the suspect's interaction with officers. The defense lawyers have repeatedly pushed for the exclusion of evidence obtained during his detention, claiming he was not promptly advised of his constitutional rights.

The dispatch tape chronicling Detwiler's call was presented in the hearing.

"There's a male in the restaurant that looks like the NYC shooter," police dispatch told Detwiler.

Detwiler replied: "10-4. We will be on that."

When questioned regarding his tone, Detwiler clarified, "I was being somewhat flippant when I said. I did not think it was going to be the individual that they suspected it was."

A Moments Following Recognition

Detwiler testified he "remained composed" after recognizing Mangione and called his sergeant. "Yes, he's here. It's him," Detwiler recalled stating.

On the call, Detwiler emphasized that he wasn't joking. "He was surprised, since he was the one who sent me the text message when we received the call," referencing the promised hoagie.

Detwiler attempted to behave as normally as he could, telling the man that police were there over reports that he had been lingering too long. Officer-worn video depicted the suspect consuming food.

"I inquired him if it was a particular menu item," Detwiler said. He responded with a sound. "I remarked it was my favorite." His intention, he explained, was "just attempting to keep things peaceful and normal."

The Role of the Mask

How much of a factor Mangione's mask played in attracting attention remains unclear.

When asked about the prevalence of masks in the area, Detwiler said, "We don't use masks. We have natural immunity."

And since "hardly anyone wears them" in that locale, Detwiler understood the man they would later identify as the suspect was the person who had caused suspicion. "He had a face covering on," Detwiler testified. "Therefore he had to be the man we were called there for."

Legal Defense Cross-Examination

A defense attorney, among Mangione's counsel, cross-examined Detwiler once the state wrapped its inquiry. She pressed on details about his identification of her client.

Agnifilo noted that the radio transmission was labeled as "low-priority". "It didn't seem serious on the radio, no," Detwiler conceded. She also pointed out that emergency signals were not used.

Agnifilo suggested through questioning that the timing of the positive ID seemed questionable. "So, in that instant, a couple of seconds into seeing him, you know: he's the NYC shooter?"

Detwiler reiterated that he was sure. "No uncertainty in my mind."

Agnifilo also sought to establish that her client was detained without being informed of his Miranda rights. She asked about the officers' physical position in the McDonald's, suggesting they were positioned to prevent Mangione from leaving.

Detwiler responded that he and his fellow officer needed room. "We are not going to position ourselves next to each other and hold each other's hands."