'Peter, We Want to Hear From You': Police Lt. Appeals to Suspect

CT/NJ/PA — As police in at least three Northeast states, assisted by the FBI, continue the manhunt for a suspect wanted in connection with a pair of Connecticut homicides, authorities in New Jersey have conveyed information that the man may possibly be heading southeast toward Jersey City in a stolen SUV.

Meanwhile, a Connecticut State Police lieutenant broadcast an appeal to the suspect to bring “a peaceful end to this.”

Peter Manfredonia, 23, a student at the University of Connecticut, is being sought in connection with the deaths of Theodore DeMers, 62, of Willington, on Friday, and Nicholas Eisele, 23, of Derby, on Sunday. The Connecticut Medical Examiner’s Office said Tuesday DeMers was killed by “sharp force and chop injuries of the head with sharp force injuries of the torso and extremities,” while Eisele’s death was caused by “gunshot wounds to his head.”

Pennsylvania State Police reported Manfredonia was last seen Sunday walking on train tracks behind a Walmart in East Stroudsburg.

At a news briefing Tuesday afternoon, Lt. John Aiello, commander of the Connecticut State Police Eastern District Major Crime Squad, took an unusual approach by addressing the suspect directly.

“We’ve talked to your family, your friends and your roommates, and this behavior is out of the ordinary for you,” Aiello said. “All of us back here in Connecticut want a peaceful end to this. We want to hear from you. We want to resolve this in a safe way.”

Earlier Tuesday, the Facebook page, Fire and EMS Alerts of Warren County, New Jersey said Manfredonia “has possibly just stolen a black Hyundai Santa Fe out of East Stroudsburg area and possibly heading towards Jersey City.” The SUV bears the Pennsylvania registration plate KYW-1650, and it was stolen around 9 p.m. Monday, state police said.

Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Anthony Petroski said authorities have not confirmed that Manfredonia stole the vehicle, but did say “it was taken from the area where he was last seen.”

Trooper First Class Christine Jeltema said Tuesday that the case is active, ongoing and fluid. She cautioned people to be mindful of social media, as there is a lot of “misinformation” out there.

Connecticut State Police released a detailed timeline of the case:

Friday, May 22

9:01 a.m.: State Police Troop C (Tolland) dispatch received a 9-1-1 call reporting a disturbance on Mirtl Road in the Town of Willington.9:08 a.m.: Troopers arrived and located two injured men in the roadway. 62-year-old Theodore Demers (DOB: 1/19/58) was pronounced deceased while being transported to the hospital. The second victim, was transported to an area hospital and is currently in stable condition. Detectives responded to the crime scene and began investigating and speaking to witnesses.10:19 a.m.: Willington First Selectmen was notified along with the Tolland County State’s Attorney.11:38 a.m.: State Police notified the public and released the suspect vehicle description. Through various investigative leads, the suspect was identified as Peter Manfredonia (DOB: 2/2/97).5:25 p.m.: State Police released the suspect’s photo to the public. An extensive search was conducted throughout the evening and continued throughout Saturday, May 23rd. This search involved multiple K9 teams and local, state and federal law enforcement officers

Saturday, May 23

An extensive search continued throughout the day. Detectives executed multiple search warrants, processed evidence and interviewed witnesses.

Sunday, May 24

6:43 a.m.: Derby Police Department received a call reporting an abandoned vehicle that appears to have been involved in a motor vehicle accident.6:58 a.m.: Troop C received a call from Derby Police reporting that the abandoned vehicle in their town is registered to an individual in Willington, who lives close to the initial 5/22 homicide scene. Troopers responded to the vehicle owner’s address to conduct a well-being check. Upon arrival, they learned that the suspect had committed a home invasion Sunday morning and stole multiple firearms along with the homeowner’s vehicle, which was located in the area of Osborndale State Park in Derby.7:34 a.m.: Multiple agencies responded to the Osborndale State Park area and began an extensive search for the suspect. Various assets were deployed to assist with the search to include additional patrol Troopers, aviation support, multiple K9 teams, drone units, tactical teams, negotiators and detectives.8:53 a.m.: A reverse 9-1-1 call was sent out to alert residents of the situation. 9:51 a.m.: State Police notified the public via statewide social media alerts that the suspect may be in the Derby area and is believed to be armed with multiple firearms.11:04 a.m.: Derby Police received a 9-1-1 call requesting a well-being for an individual on Roosevelt Drive in their town. Upon checking the home, Nicholas Eisele (DOB: 2/21/97) was found deceased. A 2016 black Volkswagen Jetta (CT AU78524) was taken from the Roosevelt Drive residence. It was also discovered that an individual was abducted from the residence.11:25 a.m.: An alert was sent to law enforcement notifying them of the stolen Volkswagen.1:04 p.m.: State Police alerted the public to be on the lookout for the stolen Volkswagen Jetta.1:30 p.m.: The stolen Volkswagen and abducted individual were found in New Jersey, near the Pennsylvania border. The victim confirmed that the suspect was their captor. This individual’s identity is not being released at this time. New Jersey State Police made contact with Pennsylvania State Police, alerting them to the situation.Sometime in the afternoon: Pennsylvania State Police were able to determine that the suspect was dropped-off by a rideshare in front of the East Stroudsburg, PA, Walmart. After conducting interviews and viewing security footage, it was learned that the suspect was last seen walking behind the Walmart onto a set of train tracks carrying a duffle bag.6:14 p.m.: State Police notified the public via statewide social media that the suspect was last seen in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Multiple Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies and the FBI are actively working to locate the suspect.