Minnesota Man Attempts Jailbreak with Unusual Weapons, Impersonates FBI Agent
A bizarre incident unfolded at a Brooklyn detention facility this week when a man from Minnesota was apprehended after allegedly pretending to be an FBI agent in a failed attempt to secure the release of a high-profile inmate. The suspect, identified as Mark Anderson, reportedly arrived at the Metropolitan Detention Center armed with unconventional tools—a barbecue fork and a pizza cutter—while claiming to have official authorization.
Details of the Arrest and Alleged Impersonation
According to a criminal complaint filed in the Eastern District of New York, Anderson approached the intake area of the jail on Wednesday evening, around 6:50 PM. He informed uniformed Bureau of Prisons officers that he was an FBI agent carrying paperwork that had been signed by a judge, which he claimed authorized an inmate's release.
When officers requested to see his federal credentials, Anderson reportedly presented his Minnesota driver's license instead. He further asserted that he was carrying weapons and threw a stack of documents at the officers. An FBI agent later described these papers as legal claims against the U.S. Department of Justice.
Weapons Discovered and Immediate Detention
Officers detained Anderson on the spot and conducted a search of his backpack. Inside, they discovered a large barbecue-type fork and a pizza cutter. Authorities confirmed that no inmate was released during this incident, and the facility's operations were not disrupted.
Anderson now faces charges of impersonating a federal officer, a felony offense that carries a potential sentence of up to three years in prison. The complaint did not initially name the inmate Anderson sought to free, but a law enforcement source revealed it was Luigi Mangione.
Background on the Targeted Inmate
Luigi Mangione has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center since his arrest in connection with the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024. This high-profile case drew national attention and intensified scrutiny around executive security measures. Mangione remains in custody as legal proceedings continue.
This unusual arrest highlights the lengths to which individuals might go in attempting jailbreaks, while also underscoring the vigilance of correctional officers in maintaining security. The use of everyday items like a BBQ fork and pizza cutter as alleged weapons adds a peculiar twist to this already strange case.
