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Court proceedings in New York City on Tuesday disclosed that law enforcement officials involved with the capture of the suspect were so skeptical of a tip on his location that they joked about a prize sandwich in text messages.

"He said, 'if you apprehend the NYC shooter, I’ll purchase you a sub from a nearby restaurant,'" stated under oath Officer Joseph Detwiler of the Altoona, Pennsylvania force. "In response, I said, 'Regard it done.'"

In less than an hour, Detwiler learned that this seemingly unreliable lead was accurate.

A Capture at a Quick-Service Restaurant

Mangione was captured in the state at a McDonald's on that date in connection with the killing of Brian Thompson. The CEO's fatal shooting on a NYC road on 4 December 2024 had spurred a widespread manhunt and fueled widespread outrage.

Following dispatch's orders, Detwiler and another officer proceeded to the restaurant. "I saw the man seated at a table there, near the restrooms," Detwiler said. The man was wearing a large jacket, brown hat and light blue face covering, just as the tipster had described.

Detwiler asked the man for his name and explained that "someone called, they thought you were suspicious". He requested identification, which the man provided. This identification would later be revealed as fraudulent.

Detwiler also requested the man to lower his face covering. "At that moment, I knew it was him immediately," Detwiler said.

Court Proceedings and Evidence Challenge

Detwiler's testimony came on the second day of a potentially weeklong proceeding about whether proof was collected improperly during Mangione's encounter with police. The defense attorneys have repeatedly pushed for the suppression of materials secured during his arrest, alleging he was not immediately informed of his constitutional rights.

The audio recording chronicling Detwiler's dispatch was presented in court.

"There's a male in the restaurant that looks like the New York City suspect," the operator informed Detwiler.

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

When questioned about his tone, Detwiler clarified, "I was being somewhat flippant when I responded. I did not believe it was going to be the person that they suspected it was."

The Moments Following Identification

Detwiler said he "remained composed" after identifying the suspect and contacted his sergeant. "Correct, he's present. It's him," Detwiler recalled stating.

On the call, Detwiler insisted that he wasn't joking. "He was taken aback, because he was the one who texted me the text message when we received the dispatch," about the promised sandwich.

Detwiler attempted to act as casually as possible, informing Mangione that police were there over reports that he had been lingering too long. Officer-worn video showed the suspect consuming food.

"In conversation, I inquired him if it was a steak sandwich," Detwiler stated. He responded affirmatively. "I then said it was my favorite." His intention, he explained, was "simply attempting to maintain things peaceful and normal."

The Role of the Face Covering

How much of a role Mangione's face covering played in attracting attention remains unclear.

When questioned about mask culture in Altoona, Detwiler said, "We do not use masks. We have antibodies."

And since "hardly anyone wears masks" in that locale, Detwiler knew the man they would later confirm as Mangione was the person who had prompted concern. "He had a face covering on," Detwiler testified. "Therefore he must have been the person we were called there for."

Defense Cross-Examination

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

Agnifilo noted that the dispatch call was labeled as "low-priority". "It didn't seem serious on the radio, no," Detwiler conceded. She also questioned that lights and sirens were not activated.

Agnifilo implied through questioning that the speed of the identification seemed off. "It's at that moment, a couple of seconds into observing him, you are certain: he's the NYC murder suspect?"

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

Agnifilo also attempted to establish that Mangione was detained without being apprised of his rights. She questioned the officers' placement in the restaurant, implying they were positioned to prevent Mangione from exiting.

Detwiler said that he and his fellow officer needed space. "We are not going to stand next to each other and hold each other's hands."