A convicted murderer in Pennsylvania, Danelo Cavalcante, who broke loose from his prison confines nearly a fortnight ago, has once again been located. This time, authorities warn that he might be armed with a weapon. Based on an urgent alert issued by Chester County 911, Cavalcante was seen in Chester County’s South Coventry Township, roughly 20 miles northward of the prison site from which he made his daring escape.
The alert echoed through the concerned residences as it relayed, “The Pennsylvania State Police are continuously receiving reports about convinct Danelo Cavalcante spotted in Ridge Rd/Coventryville Rd/Daisy Point Rd area in South Coventry Township, likely armed with a weapon. We urge residents to immediately lock all doors and windows, secure their vehicles and stay indoors.”
State Trooper James P. McKee reported a potential sighting on Monday night, though additional details were not disclosed. This has been the first report since the weekend when Cavalcante managed to evade a police search operation, steal a van, modify his appearance, and later was seen over 20 miles away before abandoning the vehicle in East Nantmeal Township.
In a recent news conference, Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens stated that every iota of information or anonymous tip regarding Cavalcante is seriously considered and investigated. He added that a reward of $25,000 awaits anyone who can provide information that leads directly to Cavalcante’s capture.
After stealing a Ford Transit van and visiting the home of a previous acquaintance on Saturday evening, the trajectory of the manhunt took a unique turn. Until this moment, the search had primarily been concentrated around Chester County Prison and its immediate vicinity, where Cavalcante was held following his conviction of first-degree murder.
Chester County Prison, located approximately 30 miles from Philadelphia, is where Cavalcante awaited his life sentence without parole for the brutal murder of his ex-girlfriend, Deborah Brandão, 33. He escaped the prison by skillfully maneuvering his way, “crab walking” through a narrow space between two walls and managed to climb a fence before crossing over razor wire. This escape fueled unrest within the community and resulted in local schools closing out of fear for the safety of their students.
Cavalcante, who was noted for his distinctive facial hair, has since made efforts to alter his appearance by shaving his face and acquiring a green hooded sweater. Unfortunately, the exact method he employed to evade the established search perimeter remains a mystery, heightening the tension and urgency surrounding his capture.
As Cavalcante continues to outwit investigators, it is believed that those he approaches for aid can provide critical leads to his capture. His sister, who overstayed her visa, has been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Authorities have reiterated the danger of the fugitive and want to remind the public about the imperative need to secure their property and actively contribute to the investigation by reporting suspicious activity.
The focus of the investigation now rests not merely on the space he has slipped away from, but equally on the individuals Cavalcante might approach for assistance. Beyond the grisly killing of Brandão, Cavalcante is also the subject of a 2017 homicide investigation in Brazil, his country of origin.
Various sightings of Cavalcante have been reported since his escape, and while details provided reflect valid information, his elusive nature poses a significant hurdle. Despite his seemingly successful evasion, law enforcement is now preparing for a long-term hunt, pooling resources together to bring Cavalcante to justice and restore peace to the terror-stricken community of Chester County.
