What to Know
- A manhunt stretches into a fourth day after a convicted murderer escaped from Chester County prison Thursday morning.
- 34-year-old Danelo Cavalcante was spotted on a residential surveillance camera 1.5 miles away from the prison, according to authorities.
- “Danelo Cavalcante is considered an extremely dangerous man," Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said.
Chester County law enforcement, Pennsylvania State Police and the U.S. Marshals Service will continue to search for an "extremely dangerous" prison escapee for a fourth day on Sunday.
On Sunday, Sept. 3 police brought out K-9 units to sift through thick wooded areas near Waterglen Drive where there was also a heavy police presence throughout the day.
Authorities said the escaped prisoner, Danelo Cavalcante, 34, was caught on a residential surveillance camera on Sept. 2 around 12:30 a.m. on the 1800 block of Lenape Road in Pocopson Township, just 1.5 miles from the prison.
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He was wearing pants, a light-colored t-shirt, and white sneakers and his appearance has remained unchanged, according to the Chester County District Attorney's office.
Police released the surveillance footage of Cavalcante, he can be seen walking through a wooded area.
Police also reported an attempted burglary at 11:30 p.m., Friday on the 100 block of Ballintree Lane in Pocopson Township but have not said if this reported incident was related.
“Law enforcement is requesting that residents in the area remain indoors at this time. Lock your vehicles. Review your surveillance cameras and contact police if you observe anything suspicious." said District Attorney Deb Ryan. "Danelo Cavalcante is considered an extremely dangerous man. Please remain vigilant in assisting with this search. If you see this individual do not approach him. Call 911 immediately.”
Cavalcante was reported as escaping from the Chester County Prison in Pocopson Township Thursday morning. News of his escape came out later on Thursday and by the afternoon both state police and U.S. Marshals had joined in the search for the convicted killer.
"The search for prison escapee Danelo Cavalcante continues with detectives and hundreds of police officers using every means available, including search helicopters and dogs," the Chester County District Attorney's office said Friday. "We are following up on every lead."
State police asked for the public's help to "check their video surveillance to include video doorbells, surveillance cameras, and trail cameras for any signs of Cavalcante."
"Also, anyone living in the area is asked to check their properties including barns, sheds, and vehicles for any signs Cavalcante might have been there," state police said.
"It's a thorough, thorough search," U.S. Marshals Supervisory Deputy Robert Clark said at a Friday afternoon news conference.
The search included railroads, the Brandywine Creek and other possible routes out of Chester County, Chester County DA Deb Ryan said.
Cavalcante is a Brazilian man who fluently speaks Portuguese and Spanish and some English and stands around 5 feet tall and weighs around 120 pounds, officials said.
"This is a very, very, very dangerous man," Clark said while urging people "not to approach Cavalcante."
Ryan and other officials said they believed Cavalcante was acting alone and is likely still hiding in the general area.
"We have reason to believe that he is heading south and we will find him no matter what it takes," Ryan said. She noted that he was captured after the initial 2021 killing -- for which he was recently convicted -- in Virginia and at the time he was believed to be headed for Mexico and ultimately Brazil.
"If you see anything suspicious, please contact 911," Ryan reiterated Friday afternoon.
Manhunt leads to West Chester University canceling classes
West Chester's campus is about 6 miles northeast of the Chester County County prison.
"Out of an abundance of caution, effective immediately, all remaining Chester County classes on 9/1/23 are cancelled and all buildings will require a WCU ID for access or a physical key," the university shared on social media and its website.
"Students living in the residence halls will receive updated guidance via separate communication," the university said. "Food services will remain available to all students. Do not forget your WCU ID when seeking access to all buildings."
How did Cavalcante escape prison?
Authorities didn't immediately reveal how Cavalcante -- who is also wanted in a killing in Brazil -- got out.
Authorities on Friday said they continued to investigate how Cavalcante escaped the maximum security portion of the prison. They did, however, reveal that it didn't appear that Cavalcante had help in his escape.
He was first reported missing around 8:50 a.m. Thursday, the Chester County District Attorney's Office said.
He was last seen near Wawaset Road, Ryan said Thursday.
“Danelo Cavalcante is considered an extremely dangerous man," Ryan said. "We are asking for the public’s help in locating him. He was last seen walking on Wawaset Road in Pocopson Township around 9:40 a.m. The defendant is also wanted for a 2017 murder in Brazil."
On Friday, Ryan revealed that Thursday morning sighting was by a prison employee just down the road from the facility.
Ryan said she didn't know the specific time frame for when the prison noticed Cavalcante was missing.
Acting prison warden Howard Holland refused to reveal details about the escape during a Thursday afternoon news conference. He did, however, say that protocols immediately went into effect and the prison was locked down once they learned of the escape.
As soon as the prison learned of the escape they began to take measures to report the escape, Ryan said Friday, while noting that her office is looking into the possibility that reverse 911 calls weren't received by everyone in the area.
According to court records, he was convicted of first-degree murder earlier this month of stabbing and killing his ex-girlfriend Deborah Brandao in front her her children in April 2021. He was sentenced to life in prison without the chance for parole just last week.
As a murder convict, Cavalcante was set to be transferred to a state facility in the days ahead.
Ryan said it's normal protocol in Chester County for someone convicted of murder or other serious crimes to remain in the county jail for up to 30 days to allow them time to file a post-sentence motion. "There was no evidence that he was considered a flight risk," Ryan said.
Cavalcante's legal team had just filed a post-sentence motion seeking a new sentence or new trial on Friday, Ryan said.
Photos released by the DA's office and U.S. Marshals show what Cavalcante looks like.
A $10,000 reward for Danelo Cavalcante's capture
An attorney who represented Cavalcante in his murder trial has yet to return a request for comment from NBC10.
Authorities said that people should begin seeing Cavalcante's photo show up on social media and on highway billboards in the area.
A $10,000 reward ($5,000 from each of the county commissioners and U.S. Marshals) is being offered "for any information that leads to the capture of Cavalcante," the DA's office said.
"Law enforcement is doing everything now to locate him," Ryan said. "If you see this individual do not approach him. Call 911 immediately.”
By Friday morning, the DA's office added to the phone numbers tipsters could reach out to:
"If anyone knows or sees anything at all that they suspect may involve this man, please call 9-1-1 or the U.S. Marshal tipline at 1-877-WANTED2 (1-877-926-8332) immediately," the DA's office said.
Ryan had a message for Cavalcante.
"We are going to find you and we are going to prosecute you and we are going to keep you behind bars for the rest of your life," Ryan said.
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