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Court proceedings in New York City on that day disclosed that police officers connected to the arrest of the suspect were so skeptical of a tip on his location that they joked regarding a reward sandwich in text messages.

"My supervisor stated, 'should you apprehend the New York City gunman, I’ll purchase you a hoagie from a local restaurant,'" stated under oath Officer Joseph Detwiler of the Altoona, Pennsylvania force. "I said, 'Regard it done.'"

In less than an sixty minutes, Detwiler learned that this apparently unreliable tip was true.

A Apprehension at a Quick-Service Eatery

The suspect was captured in the state at a fast-food chain on that date in connection with the murder of the United HealthCare CEO. The CEO's fatal shooting on a New York City road on 4 December 2024 had ignited a sprawling search and fueled widespread anger.

Following dispatch's orders, Detwiler and another officer proceeded to the McDonald's. "Upon arrival, I observed the man sitting at a table inside, near the restrooms," Detwiler said. The man was wearing a bulky coat, brown hat and light blue medical mask, exactly as the tipster had described.

Detwiler asked the man for his identification and clarified that "a person contacted authorities, they thought you were suspicious". He requested ID, which the man handed over. This identification would later be revealed as fraudulent.

Detwiler also asked the man to lower his mask. "At that moment, I knew it was him instantly," Detwiler said.

Court Hearings and Evidence Challenge

The officer's account came on the second day of a possibly weeklong proceeding about if evidence was collected improperly during the suspect's encounter with officers. Mangione's attorneys have consistently pushed for the suppression of materials secured during his arrest, alleging he was not immediately informed of his legal protections.

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

"There's a male in the McDonald's that resembles the New York City shooter," police dispatch told Detwiler.

Detwiler replied: "Affirmative. We'll be on that."

When questioned regarding his tone, Detwiler explained, "At the time, I was being semi-sarcastic when I said. I did not believe it was going to be the individual that they suspected it was."

The Critical Moments After Recognition

Detwiler said he "remained calm" after identifying Mangione and called his supervisor. "Correct, he's present. It's him," Detwiler recalled stating.

On the call, Detwiler insisted that he was not kidding. "My supervisor was taken aback, because he was the one who sent me the text message when we received the call," about the free hoagie.

Detwiler tried to act as normally as possible, telling the man that police were there over complaints that he had been loitering too a while. Officer-worn video showed the suspect eating food.

"I asked him if it was a steak sandwich," Detwiler said. He replied with a sound. "I then remarked it was my preferred item." His intention, he said, was "simply trying to maintain things calm and routine."

The Significance of the Face Covering

The extent of a role the suspect's mask played in drawing attention remains unclear.

When questioned about the prevalence of masks in the area, Detwiler said, "We do not wear face coverings. We have natural immunity."

And because "no one uses masks" there, Detwiler understood the man they would later identify as the suspect was the person who had caused concern. "He had a face covering on," Detwiler testified. "Therefore he had to be the man we were dispatched there for."

Legal Defense Questioning

Karen Agnifilo, one of Mangione's counsel, examined Detwiler after the prosecution concluded its inquiry. She focused on details about his recognition of Mangione.

Agnifilo highlighted that the dispatch call was labeled as "not urgent". "The call did not seem serious on the dispatch, no," Detwiler conceded. She also questioned that lights and sirens were not used.

Agnifilo suggested through questioning that the timing of the identification seemed questionable. "So, in that instant, two seconds into observing him, you are certain: he's the NYC shooter?"

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

Agnifilo also sought to suggest that Mangione was held without being informed of his Miranda rights. She asked about the police's placement in the McDonald's, suggesting they were standing to prevent him from leaving.

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