Convicted Killer Escapes Pennsylvania Prison, Trips Up Police in 12-Day Manhunt
The intense manhunt for convicted killer Danelo Cavalcante, who escaped from a Pennsylvania prison, entered its 12th day as authorities struggled to track him down. Cavalcante managed to slip past a police perimeter, steal a van, change his appearance, and reach out to previous acquaintances in his bid for freedom.
The search for Cavalcante took a significant turn when he was spotted more than 20 miles away from where law enforcement officers were looking. This indicated that he had successfully evaded the hundreds of officers searching in and around Longwood Gardens, west of Philadelphia, where he had been seen multiple times in recent days.
Cavalcante’s new escape plan involved stealing a 2020 Ford Transit van just three-quarters of a mile from the search perimeter. He then made his way to the home of an old acquaintance in East Pikeland Township, but the resident was not home and did not respond to Cavalcante’s attempts to contact them through a Ring doorbell camera.
Undeterred, Cavalcante continued his pursuit of support by trying to connect with another acquaintance in the Phoenixville area. However, the person was also not home, and the police were alerted when a female resident spotted the escaped inmate.
“He is absolutely looking for support. He needs that support – he doesn’t have it,” said Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens. Cavalcante’s escape has put the community on high alert, leading to school closures and heightened security measures.
Despite multiple reported sightings of Cavalcante in Chester County, where the prison is located, authorities do not believe he has left the state as of Sunday morning. Nevertheless, law enforcement agencies across the country have been informed of the ongoing manhunt.
The search for Cavalcante has now shifted to the vicinity where the stolen van was found. The abandoned vehicle was discovered in a field behind a barn in East Nantmeal Township, after apparently running out of gas. The owners of the van were unaware that it had been stolen, as the keys had been left inside.
“We are obviously very concerned that Cavalcante has or will attempt to steal another vehicle to facilitate his escape,” warned Bivens. He urged community members to review the latest photos of Cavalcante, check their surveillance footage, and secure their homes and vehicles. Authorities have noted that Cavalcante has altered his appearance by shaving his face and wearing a green hooded sweater.
While it remains unclear how Cavalcante managed to breach the search perimeter around Longwood Gardens, Bivens pointed out the challenges faced by officers due to the site’s underground tunnels, large drainage ditches, and unsecured areas. “No perimeter is 100% secure – ever,” he emphasized.
Although there is no evidence that Cavalcante has obtained a weapon, law enforcement officials consider him extremely dangerous. Bivens stated that Cavalcante has had access to residences, businesses, and possibly one vehicle, making it uncertain what possessions he may have acquired.
Cavalcante’s escape came just two weeks after he was convicted of first-degree murder for the brutal killing of his former girlfriend, Deborah Brandão. He stabbed her 38 times in front of her two young children in Chester County. Cavalcante is also wanted in connection with a 2017 homicide case in Brazil, his native country.
Brandão’s family has been living in fear since Cavalcante’s escape, and they have taken measures to secure their home. They are under 24-hour police protection, according to Chester County District Attorney Deborah Ryan. Bivens assured the family that they would be fully protected throughout the manhunt.
In the aftermath of Cavalcante’s escape, officials are scrutinizing the circumstances. The tower guard on duty at the time neither witnessed nor reported the incident. As a result, the guard was fired on Thursday.
As the manhunt continues, law enforcement agencies are determined to apprehend Cavalcante and ensure the safety of the community.