‘No tip is too small’: Lincoln Police say arrest in CEO slaying shows public’s help is key
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – An arrest Monday in the homicide of a health insurance CEO is highlighting the importance of civic duty.
Luigi Mangione, who was taken into custody in Pennsylvania, is the prime suspect in the shooting of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare.
He was spotted by a McDonald’s employee, who called law enforcement.
The mayor of New York City commended the employee for their bravery.
“A McDonald’s employee did something we asked every American to do: If you see something, say something, but most importantly, do something,” Mayor Eric Adams said.
Lincoln Police spokeswoman Erika Thomas echoed that statement.
“The public is our eyes and ears,” she said. “We are only so many bodies, and so to be able to have thousands of people in our community that are able to help us out is a huge resource, and we want to be able to tap into that.”
The New York Police Department used Crime Stoppers to spread photos of the suspect, with investigators hoping someone would send in a tip.
Police here in Lincoln use Crime Stoppers as well, as a way for the public to anonymously help out with investigations.
“No tip is too small,” Thomas said. “It’s just a way for people to feel comfortable and confident without the fear of retaliation. That obviously can be a big concern in what kind of tip they’re calling in.”
Thomas said if law enforcement can put a stop to the smaller crimes like theft or vandalism, it can prevent more serious crimes from happening.
She also said sometimes, investigations can stretch across states, which makes it even more important that you speak up when something is amiss.
“I think sometimes we don’t think about the impact that our information could have in New York City or vice versa, but really, this country is a lot smaller than we realize,” Thomas said. “You never know when there will be a time when some piece of information you call in ends up helping an investigation in another state.”
