Posted on 09/04/2023 3:03:47 PM PDT by lightman
Authorities want residents within a two-mile wooded area in a southeastern Pennsylvania township where an escaped prisoner fled to remain on high alert as they step up the manhunt for his capture.
Law enforcement have entered the fifth day in their search for 34-year-old Danelo Cavalcante. Cavalcante, of Royersford in Montgomery County, was convicted in August of murdering his girlfriend. He escaped this past Thursday morning from Chester County Prison in Pocopson Township.
State Police and the Chester County District Attorney’s Office held a joint news conference Monday afternoon about the continued manhunt. Since Cavalcante’s escape, authorities have confirmed four credible sightings, including one made by a state trooper Sunday afternoon who later lost sight of Cavalcante during a chase.
Cavalcante additionally was spotted overnight Friday into Saturday on a residential surveillance camera in the 1800 block of Lenape Road in Pocopson Township — about a mile and a half from the prison, the county district attorney had said.
The other two sightings, Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said during Monday’s news conference, were not made on video, but authorities believe them to be credible following interviews with the tipsters.
Authorities are describing Cavalcante as 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and 120 pounds (54 kilograms). He has curly black hair and a closely cropped beard and mustache. He was last seen wearing pants, a light-colored T-shirt and white sneakers, as well as carrying a backpack. Authorities said Cavalcante did not have the backpack when he escaped the prison and they aren’t sure where he obtained it.
In the most recent sighting, Bivens said Cavalcante looks the same, but “a little more worn and tired.”
Authorities continue to focus their search on this estimated 2-mile, heavily wooded radius of the prison: near the intersection of Routes 926 and 52; north on Route 52 to Parkersville Road; southeast to Route 926 and west to the intersection of Routes 926 and 52 in Pocopson Township, Bivens said.
“In total, there have been four sightings within that boundary,” said Bivens, who serves as deputy commissioner of operations for the state police. “... We have secured that area and continue to actively search it. While there are a number of challenges, we are confident that if he is in there, we will find him.
Authorities during the news conference urged residents in that area to familiarize themselves with Cavalcante’s photograph and know what he looks like. Those returning home from a possible Labor Day weekend away need to remain on high alert and notify authorities immediately if they see something disturbed, missing or suspicious, authorities said.
Neighbors should be checking on each other and reviewing video surveillance footage for any suspicious activity. They also should be refraining from entering any wooded areas in that search area, authorities said.
“We want to keep residents as safe as possible,” Bivens said.
Bivens later added authorities are concerned as Cavalcante looks toward a means to sustain himself.
“He’s going to need clothing, he’s going to need food. And just to get out of the weather, it’s pretty hot out there,” Bivens said. “I’m sure he’s looking for some better shelter. For a lot of reasons, we would be concerned about where he might hide.”
Police reportedly have already responded to more than 100 tips from neighbors of the search area. They currently are investigating two home burglaries but cannot confirm if those incidents involved Cavalcante, Bivens said.
“They are of interest to us,” Bivens said of the burglaries.
When asked by reporters what parents should do with school starting soon and children waiting at bus stops, Bivens said he’ll defer questions to individual school districts on those plans.
Additionally, residents might hear broadcast recordings in Portuguese being played from police loudspeakers or over a helicopter. That’s Cavalcante’s mother, residing in Brazil, stating in the recordings the family loves Cavalcante and wants him to surrender peacefully, authorities said.
Law enforcement, Bivens said, intends to push Cavalcante hard until he gives up: “I intend to stress him ... He’ll make mistakes. He’ll show himself. He’s already shown himself, we believe, a few times. We’ll contain him and we’ll eventually catch him.”
Lethal force could be used in order to end this manhunt and has been authorized, Bivens added.
The search for Cavalcante already led to shutdown of the popular Longwood Gardens this past Saturday. The site reopened Monday, according to its Facebook page. West Chester University announced Monday on Facebook classes would resume Tuesday after initially shutting down classes this past Friday.
“West Chester University Police continue to actively monitor the campus, and increased police presence continues on and around the University. Out of an abundance of caution, all buildings will continue to require a WCU ID for access or a physical key. All building access will be through the main entry of the buildings. Do not forget your WCU ID when seeking access to all buildings. Continue to be vigilant and aware of your surroundings,” the posting stated.
District Attorney Deb Ryan told reporters an investigation is ongoing into how Cavalcante escaped from Chester County Prison. She confirmed this is the second escape from Chester County Prison in recent months. She said there was a previous escape she believed happened in May, but did not offer any further information.
A jury convicted Cavalcante last month of killing Deborah Brandao, his ex-girlfriend, in front of her children in 2021. Cavalcante was sentenced to life in prison and was awaiting a transfer to state prison.
Prosecutors have said that he killed Brandao to stop her from telling police about the charges against him in Brazil in connection with a 2017 slaying. He was captured in Virginia after Brandao’s murder, and authorities say they believe he was trying to return to Brazil.
Cavalcante originally came to the United States illegally, after fleeing Brazil to Puerto Rico following the 2017 murder for which he is wanted, authorities say.
Cavalcante is considered extremely dangerous. Anyone with any information on Cavalcante’s whereabouts is asked to dial 911 immediately. Those with tips can additionally call the U.S. Marshals’ Tipline at 877-WANTED-2.
Authorities are offering a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to Cavalcante’s capture.
Aren't open borders wonderful?
/s
Pennsylvania Ping!
Please ping me with articles of interest.
FReepmail me to be added to the list.
Damn near a midget at only 5 feet short.
Just like Nadler the penguin.
What a punk. Needs a oak baton shampoo. Hope he resists and they burn him down. Then they can repatriate his corps.
Like the POS wouldn't have jacked a car within the first hour?
Sounds like those 'authorities' have some serious wishful thinkin' going on . . .
Lethal force could be used in order to end this manhunt and has been authorized, Bivens added.
SPJNK.
He would be a fool to hang around the area, and I don’t think he’s a fool. He’s probably long gone.
“an oak baton shampoo”? Is that like a hickory shampoo only better?
Either way he deserves one or the other.
“Cavalcante illegally immigrated to the United States from Brazil using a fake ID he obtained in Puerto Rico, according to evidence presented at his murder trial. He ended up in Chester County because he has a sister and friends who live in the area”
There may be some accessories and co-conspirators in the area.
😄
5 feet tall? Check the 4th grade classrooms on Tues.
“Lethal force could be used in order to end this manhunt and has been authorized, Bivens added.”
Does this mean they are authorized to shoot him on sight?
I live within a couple of miles of where he is supposed to be hiding. I find it unbelievable that if he is in there he is not in custody. It is a suburban/semi-rural area and if enough resources were applied he would be captured. I just don’t understand it.
Eisenhower,
OPERATION WETBACK
OPERATION WETBACK
There’s a killer on the road. His brain is squirming like a toad.
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