NYPD Used $4 Million Spy Plane to Transport Suspected CEO Killer
The NYPD used its $4 million, federally funded spy plane, designed for detecting radiological weapons, to transport suspected CEO killer Luigi Mangione from Pennsylvania to New York City. This decision has sparked controversy and raised questions about the efficient use of taxpayer money.
<img src="https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/luigi-mangione-charged-fatal-shooting-95629152.jpg?w=1024" alt="Suspected CEO killer Luigi Mangione is escorted by police after landing in New York on Dec. 19, 2024.">The plane's journey, tracked by FlightAware, shows a round trip between Long Island MacArthur Airport and Blair County, Pennsylvania, on December 19th. Mangione was subsequently transferred via helicopter to Manhattan.
The NYPD's Justification
The NYPD justified the use of the plane stating it was the "most efficient and safest method" considering distance, weather, and overall circumstances.
Controversial Past of the Spy Plane
The plane's history includes past controversies. In 2018, five NYPD pilots were disciplined for flying the plane in a phallic shape, and the plane was used to transport former Mayor Bill de Blasio to his Canadian vacation.
<img src="https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/flying-back-new-york-city-95664327.jpg?w=1024" alt="Mangione, clad in an orange jumpsuit, was surrounded by city and federal agents with long guns.">Criticism and Questions
A former NYPD official questioned the necessity of using the expensive plane for this purpose, suggesting a standard car would have sufficed, highlighting the perceived extravagance of the operation. The incident reignites a debate about the appropriate use of specialized equipment and resources within the NYPD.
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