Inmate Convicted of Murder Escapes Pennsylvania Prison, Prompting Manhunt
Philadelphia, CNN—A convicted murderer managed to escape from a prison in Pennsylvania’s Chester County on Thursday morning, leaving local officials in a state of high alert.
The inmate, identified as 34-year-old Danelo Cavalcante, broke out of Chester County Prison at approximately 8:50 a.m., according to the Chester County District Attorney’s Office. District Attorney Deb Ryan has described Cavalcante as “an extremely dangerous man.”
Following his escape, Cavalcante was last seen walking along a nearby road in Pocopson Township around 9:40 a.m. He was wearing a white T-shirt, gray shorts, and white sneakers. The prison is located approximately 30 miles west of Philadelphia.
In response to the escape, the DA’s office issued a news release stating, “Chester County detectives and the Pennsylvania State Police are conducting a thorough countywide search.”
Ryan expressed concern about Cavalcante’s ability to evade law enforcement, stating, “He is really good at hiding from law enforcement, and we believe that he’ll do anything in his power to attempt to evade us now.” She made these remarks during an interview with CNN’s Laura Coates on “CNN Tonight.”
Efforts to locate Cavalcante are currently underway, with Ryan confirming, “There are hundreds of people on the ground and in the air looking for him right now.”
Cavalcante was convicted of first-degree murder on August 16 for killing his former girlfriend in 2021. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole just last week.
Authorities are now investigating whether Cavalcante received inside help in his escape, Ryan revealed. She stated, “Detectives from my office are conducting interviews to find out what happened.”
In a plea to the public, Ryan urged anyone with information about Cavalcante’s whereabouts to immediately contact 911.
The escape of this dangerous convict has raised concerns about prison security and has led to heightened vigilance among law enforcement authorities in the area. As the manhunt continues, local residents are urged to remain cautious and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.