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Court hearings in New York City on that day revealed that police officers involved with the arrest of the suspect were so skeptical of a lead on his location that they bantered regarding a prize sandwich in SMS exchanges.

"My supervisor stated, 'should you apprehend the New York City shooter, I’ll purchase you a hoagie from a nearby eatery,'" stated under oath Police Officer Joseph Detwiler of the Pennsylvania police department. "In response, I said, 'Regard it accomplished.'"

In less than an sixty minutes, Detwiler discovered that this apparently spurious lead was true.

A Capture at a Quick-Service Restaurant

The suspect was apprehended in the state at a fast-food chain on that date in connection with the murder of Brian Thompson. Thompson's death on a NYC street on the prior date had ignited a sprawling manhunt and fueled public anger.

Following dispatch's instructions, Detwiler and another officer proceeded to the restaurant. "Upon arrival, I saw the man seated at a booth inside, near the bathrooms," Detwiler testified. The man was wearing a large coat, tan beanie and light blue medical mask, 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 provided. This ID would later be revealed as fake.

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

Court Proceedings and Evidence Challenge

The officer's account came on the day two of a potentially multi-day proceeding about whether proof was collected improperly during the suspect's encounter with officers. Mangione's attorneys have repeatedly argued for the exclusion of materials obtained during his detention, claiming he was not immediately informed of his legal protections.

The audio recording chronicling Detwiler's dispatch was played in the hearing.

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

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

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

A Critical Moments Following Identification

Detwiler said he "remained calm" after identifying Mangione and contacted his supervisor. "Correct, he's here. It's him," Detwiler recalled saying.

On the phone conversation, Detwiler insisted that he was not kidding. "He was surprised, because he was the one who texted me the text message when we got the dispatch," referencing the free hoagie.

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

"I asked him if it was a particular menu item," Detwiler said. Mangione replied with a sound. "I then remarked it was my preferred item." His intention, he said, was "just trying to maintain things calm and routine."

The Significance of the Face Covering

The extent of a role Mangione's face covering had in drawing suspicion remains debatable.

When asked regarding mask culture in the area, Detwiler said, "We do not use masks. We have antibodies."

And because "hardly anyone wears masks" there, Detwiler knew the man they would subsequently confirm as Mangione was the individual who had prompted suspicion. "He had a mask on," Detwiler testified. "Therefore he must have been the person we were dispatched there for."

Defense Cross-Examination

Karen Agnifilo, among the suspect's lawyers, examined Detwiler once the prosecution concluded its questioning. She pressed on particulars about his identification of her client.

Agnifilo highlighted that the dispatch call was categorized as "low-priority". "The call did not seem urgent on the dispatch, no," Detwiler agreed. She also pointed out that emergency signals were not used.

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 reiterated that he knew. "Absolutely no doubt in my thoughts."

Agnifilo also sought to establish that her client was held without being apprised of his rights. She asked about the police's physical position in the McDonald's, implying they were positioned to block him from leaving.

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