The search intensifies for Danelo Cavalcante, a convicted murderer who escaped the confines of a Pennsylvania prison a little over a week ago. Despite the heavy police presence, Cavalcante was able to flee the area, even stealing a van to facilitate his escape, authorities disclosed on Sunday.
Danelo Cavalcante, 34, broke free on August 31 from the Chester County Prison near Philadelphia. He had been awaiting transfer to a state facility to begin a life sentence for the murder of his former girlfriend. In a daring move on Saturday, Cavalcante allegedly snatched a white Ford van from just outside the police-controlled perimeter surrounding the prison. He journeyed roughly 25 miles to the East Pikeland township with the van’s keys conveniently left inside.
Further, Cavalcante took measures to disguise his identity to avoid detection, notably shaving off his beard and moustache. This transformation was captured on a doorbell camera when he tried to reach out to a former coworker at their home. “Now appearing clean-shaven and donned in a bright green hooded sweatshirt, we believe Cavalcante is attempting to blend in and evade capture,” remarked Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police in a briefing on Sunday.
A Growing Concern: Communities on High Alert
The community remains highly alert as police scramble to locate the escaped convict. Despite an intense search involving hundreds of officers, Cavalcante has successfully evaded the authorities. Bivens assured the public to quell rising concerns, stating, “While no perimeter can ever be completely secure, we remain steadfast in our commitment to recapturing him and reinstating justice.”
Adding to the complexity of the case, Cavalcante, originally from Brazil, is linked to another murder case back in 2017, according to the U.S. Marshals. Authorities confirmed on Sunday that U.S. immigration officials have held Cavalcante’s sister, and is facing deportation procedures.
Since his dramatic escape, there have been numerous sightings of Cavalcante in the vicinity. His threat even led to the temporary closure of local schools following one such sighting last week. Officials have announced a reward of up to $20,000 for any information leading to Cavalcante’s apprehension, urging the community to aid in his capture.
*Additional News Insights Sourced from Reuters
