Fugitive Danelo Cavalcante, Armed and Dangerous: Authorities Issue Urgent Warning
Early Tuesday morning, authorities sounded the alarm about Danelo Cavalcante, the fugitive who broke out of prison nearly two weeks ago. They’ve revealed that Cavalcante is now armed and have issued a clear directive: do not approach him; instead, call 911 if you spot him.
Armed and Dangerous
Pennsylvania State Police, via social media, disclosed that the 34-year-old Cavalcante now possesses a .22 caliber rifle. Residents in the area have been urged to take immediate precautions: “lock all doors and windows, secure vehicles, and remain indoors.” The search for Cavalcante has intensified in the Ridge Road, Coventryville Road, and Daisy Point Road areas of South Coventry Township in Chester County.
The urgency of the situation was underscored when a report of a break-in and shots fired in East Nantmeal emerged. This area was believed to be Cavalcante’s hiding place.
A Close Encounter
Late Monday night, a source from the state police informed Fox News that a homeowner had fired at Cavalcante while he was attempting to steal a rifle. According to FOX 29 Philadelphia, the homeowner fired seven shots at the escaped convict, who managed to snatch the .22 caliber firearm.
Desperation on the Run
The manhunt for Danelo Cavalcante has been ongoing since his escape on August 31 near Chester County Prison, where he was incarcerated for a first-degree murder conviction in the death of an ex-girlfriend in 2021.
Despite evading law enforcement for 12 days, authorities note that Cavalcante is taking increasingly desperate actions, including reaching out to former co-workers. According to Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens, “I believe that his actions show that he’s desperate…Now he finds himself on the run.” The fact that he’s contacting individuals with distant connections suggests he lacks a strong support network.
The Great Escape
Cavalcante’s escape involved slipping through a tightly guarded police perimeter around Longwood Gardens botanical park. He altered his appearance and stole a van from a dairy farm, driving over 20 miles to East Pikeland Township and Phoenixville, where he sought help from two former co-workers.
Cavalcante was caught on a doorbell camera, appearing clean-shaven and dressed in a yellow or green hoodie, a black baseball cap, green prison pants, and white shoes, according to state police.
Guard Fired
In a significant development, it was revealed on Friday that the prison guard on duty when Cavalcante was seen escaping the exercise yard had been terminated.
International Fugitive
Cavalcante, already serving a life sentence for murder, also faces homicide charges in his native Brazil. Brazilian prosecutors in Tocantins state allege “double qualified homicide” in the 2017 killing of Válter Júnior Moreira dos Reis in Figueirópolis, stemming from a debt the victim owed him for vehicle repairs.
The manhunt for Cavalcante continues, and authorities are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to bring him to justice.