What to Know
- Danelo Cavalcante -- the convicted murderer who has eluded police since escaping the Chester County Prison last month -- is now believed to be armed with a gun after stealing it from a homeowner who shot at him late Monday night.
- Law enforcement officials said he may now be corralled in an eight to ten square mile in and around South Coventry Township.
- Residents there are being asked to lock all of their external doors and windows, secure their vehicles and remain indoors.
Editor's Note (Sept. 13, 2023, 9:07 a.m.): Danelo Cavalcante was captured Wednesday morning in Chester County. Click on this link for breaking details on the end of the manhunt.
The search for an escaped killer in Chester County wears on as law enforcement continues to rush to follow up on leads with schools in one community closed and residents on high alert.
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Editor’s Note: NBC10 was initially told by law enforcement sources that they found a backpack that Danelo Cavalcante was carrying. Police later said they have not confirmed if the recovered backpack is related to the investigation.
Sources tell NBC10 that a backpack was found by police Tuesday night just before 8 p.m. Whether it is connected to Danelo Cavalcante, police are not sure.
Law enforcement officials said Tuesday that they hope they are closing in on the escaped killer after he was spotted -- and shot at -- late Monday night and articles of his clothing were found.
Officials also believe that Cavalcante has now obtained a firearm and ammunition.
Tuesday afternoon, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro called for the convicted killer to surrender as officers continued to search for the escaped Cavalcante.
"This is a moment you have to realize that, the gig is almost up," said Shapiro.
At a short meeting with members of the press, Shapiro expressed confidence that the police would be able to apprehend Cavalcante. However, he noted that once this manhunt comes to a close, he expected there to be a review of what led to a convicted murderer having the opportunity to escape confinement.
In fact, he said that there are questions that Chester County officials "are going to have to answer" once the manhunt reaches a conclusion.
"What we are focused on is apprehending him," said the governor.
Just before 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday night, Pennsylvania State Police took to social media to say they believe he is within a perimeter of Routes 23 and 100 as well as Fairview and Nantmeal Roads and Iron Bridge and County Park Roads in South Coventry Township.
During a Tuesday morning news conference, Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said that a homeowner at a property along Coventryville Road in East Nantmeal Township found a man, believed to be Cavalcante, was in his garage late Monday.
"Cavalcante is considered armed and extremely dangerous," Bivens said.
Bivens said the homeowner reported that he found Cavalcante taking a .22-caliber rifle and ammunition from his garage. The homeowner fired a handgun at Cavalcante several times, but Bivens said he doesn't believe the escaped prisoner was hit.
“We have no reason to believe he was injured as a result of that shooting,” said Bivens.
The firearm is also equipped with a scope and a flashlight, he said.
Following the shooting, officials rushed to that location and, in a nearby area, recovered boots and articles of clothing believed to have belonged to Cavalcante, according to investigators.
However, Bivens once again warned local residents that Cavalcante is armed and may be desperate as the manhunt stretches into another day.
"He’s killed two people previously. I believe he’s desperate enough to use that weapon,” said Bivens.
If you see Cavalcante, do not approach him, police said. Instead call 911 immediately. You can also call 717-562-2987 with general tips and information.
Waking up to danger
Chester County residents woke to Pennsylvania State Police warnings to "lock all doors and windows, secure vehicles, and remain indoors" as Cavalcante -- on the run since last month -- is now believed to be armed with a firearm.
Overnight, Chester County's Department of Emergency Services warned residents that Cavalcante was possibly in the area of Ridge Road at Coventryville Road and Daisy Point Road in South Coventry Township.
Spotted late Monday
An emergency notification from Pennsylvania State Police was sent out by Chester County 911 at 10:46 p.m. Monday reporting Cavalcante was spotted in that area.
NBC10 confirmed with sources that Cavalcante's shoes were found in the area, which is mostly rural in the northern part of Chester County.
Schools closed amid manhunt
The most recent search area is near Owen J. Roberts High School. Out of caution, the Pottstown-based OJR school district closed all its schools and offices on Tuesday and again on Wednesday.
"Please know that the decision to close schools tomorrow will not change, even if the escaped inmate from Chester County Prison is apprehended tonight. Our school sites are currently being used to support law enforcement initiatives, and we also recognize that many of our families have been under a tremendous amount of stress these past two days," a school official said in a statement Tuesday night.
For a full look at escaped convicted killer Danelo Cavalcante's days on the run as he wove a zig-zagging path through Chester County over the past two weeks, check out our timeline of the ongoing manhunt.
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