Danelo Cavalcante Captured After Prison Escape
In a dramatic turn of events, Danelo Cavalcante, a 34-year-old Brazilian convict who made a daring escape from the Chester County Prison in Pennsylvania two weeks ago, has been successfully recaptured. The authorities apprehended him in Chester County, not far from a series of farms.
Cavalcante’s escape, which occurred on August 31, was captured on video and sparked an immediate manhunt. At the time of his escape, he was awaiting transfer to a state prison.
Despite an extensive search effort by law enforcement, Cavalcante managed to evade capture for days, then weeks.
Barefoot and Handcuffed: The Arrest
Pictures taken upon his arrest tell a tale of a fugitive on the run. Cavalcante arrived at the Avondale jail in a hospital robe, barefoot, and handcuffed, with a fresh bite wound on his head. This injury occurred when officers surprised him in the woods, and he attempted to flee through thick brush, prompting the release of police K-9 units.
Facing a Life Sentence
Cavalcante’s capture means that he is now set to be transferred to state custody, where he will serve a life sentence for the 2021 murder of his ex-girlfriend, Deborah Brandao. Additionally, he is a suspect in a 2017 murder in his home country.
A Community on Edge
Cavalcante’s escape put the local community on high alert, especially as he resorted to breaking into nearby homes to secure supplies. He stole food, clothing, and even altered his appearance.
In one unsettling incident, he pilfered a firearm and allegedly engaged in a shootout with a homeowner before disappearing back into the woods.
Intensive Search Efforts
The entire region witnessed a heightened police presence throughout the manhunt. Mounted units, state and local authorities, as well as SWAT teams, tirelessly combed the farmlands. Authorities temporarily closed local schools and urged residents to lock their doors and remain indoors.
A Surprising Capture
Remarkably, when law enforcement finally captured Cavalcante, he had no supplies with him, save for the stolen clothes on his back and the rifle he had taken. Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens revealed during a news briefing that agents from Customs and Border Patrol’s BORTAC unit and tactical state police managed to approach him discreetly, catching him off guard.
“They were able to move in very quietly,” said Bivens. “They had the element of surprise, and Cavalcante did not realize he was surrounded.”
Fortunately, the fugitive suffered only a minor bite wound during the arrest, and no officers were injured in the operation.
Cavalcante’s capture has brought relief to the community, putting an end to a tense and dangerous period marked by his escape and subsequent actions.