Danelo Cavalcante Captured
In a gripping turn of events, Danelo Cavalcante, the Brazilian fugitive who had managed to escape from a Pennsylvania jail nearly two weeks ago, has been successfully apprehended. Law enforcement authorities, in a tactical operation, managed to corner him near a cluster of farms in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
Cavalcante, aged 34, had made a daring escape from the Chester County Prison on August 31. He had been awaiting transfer to a state prison at that time. His escape, captured on video, initiated an immediate manhunt, which persisted for both days and weeks.
The images depict a barefoot and handcuffed Cavalcante, wearing a hospital robe, arriving at the Avondale jail about six hours after his capture. During his time on the run, he had suffered a bite wound when police officers cornered him in the woods. In an attempt to evade capture, he tried to crawl through the underbrush, prompting the officers to unleash their K-9 unit.
Cavalcante is slated to be transferred to state custody to serve a life sentence for the 2021 murder of his ex-girlfriend, Deborah Brandao. Additionally, he remains a suspect in a 2017 murder case in his home country.
His escape had sent shockwaves through the community, as he began breaking into local residences to pilfer essential supplies, including food and clothing, while altering his appearance. In one alarming incident, he stole a firearm and engaged in a firefight with a homeowner before vanishing back into the woods.
Throughout this period, the local police force maintained a strong presence in the area, deploying mounted units, state and local authorities, as well as SWAT teams in their relentless pursuit of the fugitive. Local schools were temporarily closed, and residents were advised to secure their homes and remain indoors.
Upon his capture, Cavalcante was found without any provisions other than the stolen clothing on his back and the firearm he had purloined, according to Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens during a news briefing.
Agents from Customs and Border Patrol’s BORTAC unit, in conjunction with tactical state police, managed to close in on him discreetly, taking him by surprise. Cavalcante remained oblivious to his surroundings until the moment of capture.
While the fugitive sustained a minor bite wound, no law enforcement officers were injured in the operation.
This apprehension marks the end of a tense and extensive manhunt, bringing relief to the community and ensuring that Cavalcante is back where he belongs—behind bars.