For a while, Peter Manfredonia was perhaps the most wanted man in America.
Now, he may well have passed that baton onto dastardly Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis police officer who – in plain sight – kept his knee on George Floyd’s neck for around 8 minutes. Floyd died and the city is now in flames. But that is, as they say, another story.
At any rate, Manfredonia, 23, who was wanted for two brutal murders, was captured about 9 pm Wednesday by Connecticut State Police Detective Mike Zella. No shots were fired and no one was injured.
Despite a massive manhunt across Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, it was in Maryland that the long arm of the law finally caught up with Manfredonia, who was studying at University of Connecticut.
(Connecticut State Police)
The sicko student was spotted walking near a truck stop in the small town of Halfway, just outside of Hagerstown, when state, local and federal law enforcement pounced. Police recovered a gun nearby and said they believe it is the same weapon used in the Sunday homicide in Derby, Connecticut.
A lawyer for Manfredonia’s family, Michael Dolan of Hamden, said Manfredonia gave up without incident.
Connecticut State Police detectives, working with their Maryland counterparts, the FBI and local Hagerstown police, tracked Manfredonia after he took a ride share service to the city in the Maryland panhandle.
Cynthia DeMers, whose husband police say was brutally killed by Manfredonia on Friday in Willington, rejoiced at the news the manhunt was over.
“Doing the happy dance that all are safe,” she told the Hartford Courant. “My Ted is at peace and will continue to watch over our family. We will all move forward and continue on as he has instructed us to do.”
Manfredonia was in Maryland State Police custody Wednesday night and could be facing federal charges in addition to a litany of state charges in each state he traveled through.
The student’s crime spree began last Friday when Manfredonia is alleged to have hacked 62-year old Ted DeMers to death while searching for a female friend. Police say he then traveled to Derby and shot dead a 23-year old man he knew Sunday morning before stealing a car and heading to New Jersey. He then took a ride share to East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, Sunday afternoon.
On Tuesday, Pennsylvania State Police had warned Uber and Lyft drivers that Manfredonia “may attempt to solicit ride-sharing services, possibly through third-party means, to flee the area.” Law enforcement officials said he may also seek refuge in wooded areas, a hotel or motel, or an abandoned building.
Now it’s time for him to face the music.
What a relief to have him back home!