Flat tires lead to the capture of Fla. suspect in Revere

REVERE, Mass. (WHDH) -- A murder suspect in Florida was captured in Revere, Mass. on Thursday night.

“It was just the right place at the right time. Just sometimes things work out that way,” said Sgt. Charles Callahan of the Revere police department.

Officer Joseph Turner responded to Thrifty Car Rental after a report of a stolen gray Ford Mustang, but the company didn’t know the license plate number.

“One thing they had been descriptive about was that the car had run over spike strips that deploy and most likely had rear flat tires,” said Turner of the Revere police department.

At the same time, Sgt. Callahan had pulled over at Banana Boat Ice Cream Shop.

“I happened to see these people changing a tire. I pulled over to see what they were doing. Actually happens to be my wife’s family business -- was the parking lot they picked,” said Callahan, of the Revere police department.

Callahan thought the two men needed help with a flat, until they heard the broadcast for the stolen car.

“As soon as he heard on the transmissions his eyes got wide. He had tire iron at the time, but he dropped it, tried to flee. Just couldn’t get between me, the cruiser and the vehicle,” said Callahan.

The suspect, 36-year-old Domenic Panzino, is wanted to Clearwater, Fla. for allegedly robbing and murdering his 91-year-old neighbor. Investigators believe he came to Revere because he has relatives in Massachusetts.

Panzino appeared in Chelsea District Court Friday on fugitive of justice charges and for stealing a car. Panzino apparently has a long criminal history in Massachusetts.

In court, Panzino agreed to return to Florida to answer to last weekend's murder of his neighbor. Florida detectives said Panzino confessed to the murder.

If convicted of the charges brought against him, Panzino could face the death penalty.