Luigi Mangione, the former Ivy League student arrested in Pennsylvania on Monday in connection with the murder of UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson in New York City last week, will likely not be extradited for days.
Mangione, 26, was arrested at the Altoona Police Department in Pennsylvania after a McDonald’s manager recognized him around 9:15 a.m. Monday. Four fake IDs, a gun and a tool similar to the one used in the shooting, and a document criticizing the health insurance industry were found in his possession.
Members of the FBI and NYPD, including New York Deputy Commissioner of Public Works Kaz Daughtry, arrived at the station within hours of Mangione’s arrest. Members of the New York State Attorney’s Office also arrived, Fox News Digital confirmed.
Mangione was charged with forgery, firearms not to be carried without a license, tampering with records or identification, possession of a weapon and false information to law enforcement, according to a police criminal complaint.
WHO IS LUIGI MANGIONE, ALLEGED IN THE UNITEDHEALTHCARE MURDER?
Luigi Mangione is shown in police custody in Altoona, Pa. (Sourced by Fox News Digital)
Although his arrest was “peaceful,” according to Altoona police, Mangione did not speak to investigators and was taken into custody.
“The suspect didn’t say anything. He refused to talk,” a police source told Fox News Digital.
John Ryan, a 45-year veteran who served as the commander of the Joint Terrorism Task Force in New York, said it was unlikely he would be returned to New York City for a few days.
Around 6:30 p.m., Mangione appeared at the Blair County courthouse in Hollidaysburg. Prosecutors said he was carrying $10,000 in cash, including two thousand dollars in foreign currency, although Mangione disputed the amount. He was allegedly in Pennsylvania for several days and said he had been in contact with his family “until recently.”
Luigi Mangione was taken into custody at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pa. (Luigi Mangione/Facebook)
Now that he has been charged locally, Ryan said, authorities need to decide whether to pursue domestic or federal charges.
“If they decide to charge him legally, that’s it [different] in the courts,” Ryan said. “The report says he’s carrying a ghost gun, which is a federal charge, so I think … eventually they’re going to indict him.”
SUSPECT ARRESTED IN MANHUNT UNITEDHEALTHCARE EXECUTIVE KILLER OF BRIAN THOMPSON
Luigi Mangione was taken into custody in Altoona, Pa., Monday morning in connection with the manslaughter of UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson in New York City last week. (Luigi Mangione/Facebook)
“[After] first appearance on a gun charge in the area, and then they’re going to wait to serve him warrants, New York City charges, if that hasn’t already happened,” former FBI Agent Jason Pack told Fox News Digital. .
Pack said Mangione’s next move will depend on whether he waives extradition.
“He will withdraw the extradition or they will be heard, and the judge will decide whether to issue or not. If the judge decides to reciprocate, then he will get a warrant from the governor, I think, to do the extradition. “Said Pack.
After the suspect in Thompson’s murder fled the scene, NYPD investigators found a water bottle on the street he was allegedly fleeing; Investigators also looked at a backpack that was left in Central Park and is believed to be the gunman’s for DNA.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said at a press conference Monday that the agency has a “substantial” body of evidence in the case.
ARRESTED IN PENNSYLVANIA MCDONALD’S UNITEDHEALTHCARE CEO.
A screenshot from surveillance footage released by the NYPD shows a person of interest wanted in connection with the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan on Dec. 4, 2024. (NYPD Crime Stoppers)
Police in Pennsylvania can swipe anyone suspected of a crime that could lead to a DNA conviction, according to state law. If the prisoner refuses to be mutilated, the judge can force his hand by court order.
Ryan said the samples will be sent to the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, or to Pennsylvania State Police facilities due to the limited resources of local police.
“My belief [is] they have already found his DNA, then it is a matter of having it tested,” he said. DNA will be another thing that will link him to this incident [In New York City].”
“I think it will be days [before Mangione is extradited] unless they charge him legally,” said Ryan.
Ryan praised local police for their quick response to Mangione’s abduction.
“People should praise that local police department. With the number of tips that have come in, something like this could easily be blown away instead of being answered,” he said. “For them to answer, they did an interview and during the interview they found a conflict that led them to find many IDs and the weapon is an honor for them. Without them, we would not have had the discussions.”
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