Pennsylvania Authorities Close In on Fugitive Danelo Cavalcante
Pennsylvania authorities are intensifying their search for Danelo Cavalcante, a fugitive who escaped from Chester County Prison nearly two weeks ago. Cavalcante, a 34-year-old who authorities believe is in the U.S. illegally, escaped on August 31 after being convicted of first-degree murder in the death of his ex-girlfriend in 2021.
Despite evading capture for this long, Cavalcante seems to be getting desperate, according to law enforcement officials. They have mobilized hundreds of officers and law enforcement personnel to locate him.
“I believe that his actions show that he’s desperate,” said Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens. “I believe there was an opportunity to escape. I don’t think there was a lot of planning that went into that. Now he finds himself on the run.”
Cavalcante’s desperate measures include contacting former co-workers, indicating that he may not have a strong support network. On Sunday, he managed to slip through a police perimeter near Longwood Gardens botanical park, changed his appearance, and stole a van from a dairy farm. He drove over 20 miles, seeking help from two former co-workers in East Pikeland Township and Phoenixville.
A doorbell camera captured his clean-shaven image, dressed in a yellow or green hooded sweatshirt, a black baseball cap, green prison pants, and white shoes.
In addition to his escape, Cavalcante’s sister, Eleni Cavalcante, was arrested by immigration authorities due to immigration issues. She has not cooperated with authorities in the search for her brother.
Authorities have fired a prison guard who was on duty when Cavalcante was seen on surveillance video scaling a prison wall.
Law enforcement officials have issued a warning to anyone considering assisting Cavalcante while he’s on the run, emphasizing that he is considered dangerous and possibly armed.
Cavalcante was convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend in 2021 and sentenced to life in prison. Originally from Brazil, he is also wanted there for homicide charges related to a 2017 killing.
The hunt for Danelo Cavalcante continues, with authorities determined to bring him to justice.