Escaped Pennsylvania Killer Nabbed Planning Canadian Getaway

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The convicted murderer, who last month notably escaped a Pennsylvania prison, has been thrust back behind bars. Danilo Cavalcante, 34, is now also facing additional charges after his daring escape that sparked a near fortnight-long national manhunt and caused widespread fears within the nearby community.

Cavalcante’s capture came about due to a serendipitous encounter in the South Coventry Township woods on a quiet Wednesday morning. Police blindsided the fugitive, relying heavily on a police dog to facilitate the arrest. Authorities believed Cavalcante was in the midst of a plan to flee the country.


Robert Clark, the supervisory deputy US marshal for Pennsylvania’s eastern district, divulged to the media that Cavalcante had ambitious intentions. “His goal was to hijack a vehicle, head north to Canada and fulfill this plan within the next twenty-four hours,” stated Clark.

Clarification from deputy marshals regarding their interview with Cavalcante post-capture revealed the escapee’s sentiment. Cavalcante shared his observation of an overwhelming law enforcement presence in his area and his subsequent realization of the need to evacuate.

The man who was last month convicted of first-degree murder now resides in the maximum-security State Correctional Institute – Phoenix. There, in Montgomery County, he will live out a lifetime penalty for his crime.

Furthermore, Cavalcante is due to appear in a preliminary hearing on September 27th, facing a recently added charge of felony escape. Despite the search for someone to represent him, no attorney details have been specified in court documents for Cavalcante so far.

Cavalcante’s daring breakout took place on August 31st from Chester County Prison, located in a rural region some 30 miles west of Philadelphia. His tactics to elude authorities for 13 days were strategic and crafty; slipping through search perimeters, breaking into homes, changing his appearance, and stealing vehicles.

“We came in close quarters with him a couple of times but always he managed to slip away,” Chief Chester County Detective, David Sassa, stated. The escapee even revealed to investigators that on numerous occasions, the tactical teams unknowingly strode past him.

As he navigated about the South Coventry, Cavalcante exhibited signs of a man who had been residing in the wilderness for some time. “That was precisely our purpose – to keep him stressed, moving, and constantly off balance,” stated Bivens.

500 law enforcement officers were engaged in the hunt. From state police to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, to FBI agents and US marshals, they all converged in South Coventry Township to scour the region by ground and air.

Wasting little time after his capture, Cavalcante cooperatively responded to investigative queries. Clark went on to recount Cavalcante’s survival methods during the manhunt, including his nutrition; he survived on watermelons and stream water, and to avoid detection, he concealed his waste under foliage.

Due to the pressure from continuous hiding, Cavalcante considered surrendering himself. “Every day he was increasingly desperate,” Clark explained. Cavalcante was under extreme surveillance when he stole a truck from a dairy farm and when he took a rifle from an unlocked garage – actions that significantly elevated the danger tension both in the search operation and within the local community.

Cavalcante would move at night, sleep during the day, traverse the edge of tree lines and familiarize himself with local roads. He opted for a van from a farm, which was relatively new and had a quarter tank of fuel. Due to his familiarity with the area, he abandoned it behind a certain barn in an area he knew well.

Having identified Cavalcante’s Brazilian roots, authorities tactfully released audio messages in Portuguese through their helicopter. Other announcements also featured desperate pleas from Cavalcante’s mother for him to surrender.

Notably, Cavalcante had infiltrated the compound of the prison by maneuvering between two walls, scaling a rooftop, dodging a fence, traversing razor wire, and disappearing into the thick woodland. “We must now strengthen ourselves against these potential risks, considering his high capabilities,” Josh Maxwell, chair of the Chester County prison board, observed.

Chester County District Attorney, Deb Ryan, was relieved, announcing, “Our nightmare is finally over.” She was exultant to inform the family of Cavalcante’s murder victim, Deborah Brandão, about this resolution.

Commenting on the Brandão family’s ordeal, Ryan recounted, “Since his escape, they lived in fear.” She added how overjoyed they were upon receiving the news of Cavalcante’s capture, describing them as being “riddled with joy and happiness.”

Silvia Brandão, Deborah Brandão’s older sister, expressed gratitude despite their small victory remaining overshadowed by deep grief. She sought justice for her sister, emphatically stating, “May he pay for his crime.”