Escaped Inmate Armed with Rifle Sparks Manhunt in South Coventry Township
SOUTH COVENTRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Law enforcement agencies are currently engaged in a manhunt for escaped inmate Danelo Cavalcante, who is armed with a rifle, in South Coventry Township, Chester County. Pennsylvania State Police have urged residents in the area of Ridge Road, Coventryville Road, and Daisy Point Road to lock their windows and doors as a precautionary measure.
The search for Cavalcante has been ongoing for 12 days, with authorities intensifying their efforts to locate him. On Monday night, the search focused on the area of 1993 Fairview Road, where shots were reportedly fired. Police sent out reverse 9-1-1 calls to advise residents in the East Nantmeal area to shelter in place.
During the search, a T-shirt and shoes believed to belong to Cavalcante were discovered, further intensifying the manhunt. Several residents reported hearing gunshots in the area, and one resident reported a stolen gun following a confrontation where shots were fired near the French Creek Elementary School.
The suspect in the gun theft matches Cavalcante’s description, and it is unknown whether he sustained any injuries during the incident. The stolen gun is a .22 caliber rifle with a scope, and authorities are now focused on finding any footprints that could belong to the escaped inmate.
In the midst of the search, a police officer sustained burns from the radiator cap of his car, although it was unrelated to the pursuit of Cavalcante.
To facilitate the manhunt, officers have established a perimeter, resulting in the complete closure of Route 100. Investigators believe Cavalcante managed to evade their initial search perimeter over the weekend and subsequently stole a van from a dairy farm. However, he abandoned the vehicle in East Nantmeal after it ran out of gas.
Prior to Monday night’s possible sighting, Cavalcante was last captured on a Ring doorbell camera in the Phoenixville area on Saturday night. The photos showed him with a clean-shaven face, wearing a green hoodie and hat, a departure from his initial appearance with facial hair.
Furthermore, authorities discovered that Cavalcante had been attempting to contact two former co-workers, even having a conversation in Portuguese over the Ring doorbell with one of them. These developments shed light on possible motives or connections that could aid in his capture.
Local resident Jeff Wynn has been closely following the manhunt using an online police scanner. He expressed his amazement at Cavalcante’s ability to elude capture for such a prolonged period.
While authorities continue their search, they are urging residents to report any sightings of Cavalcante and to remain vigilant by checking their surveillance cameras. Police warn that anyone found assisting Cavalcante will face prosecution.
In a surprising twist, Cavalcante’s sister has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and is undergoing deportation proceedings. Police revealed that she was an “overstay” and refused to cooperate in her brother’s capture.
Cavalcante, who was serving a life sentence without parole for the brutal murder of his ex-girlfriend Deborah Brandao, has now become the subject of a $25,000 reward for information leading to his recapture.
As the manhunt continues, the community remains on high alert, hoping for the safe and swift resolution of the situation.