Credit: Chester County DA’s Office/Screengrab
Municipal, state, and federal law enforcement continued the search on Monday for a convicted murderer who managed to break free from prison in late August.
The intensive search that has involved hundreds of law enforcement officers had Danelo Cavalcante, 34, who was from Brazil, contained to Chester County, where he had escaped from, but he broke the perimeter using a stolen van and ended up in Phoenixville, Chester County near the Montgomery County border over the weekend.
Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens, a veteran of several high-profile manhunts, told reporters at a Monday press briefing that Cavalcante’s whereabouts were unknown. He noted there was a possibility that Cavalcante had fled further away from the initial “containment areas,” but he stated he suspected the wanted man was still in the Keystone State.
“I don’t believe he has the resources to get out of Pennsylvania,” Bivens said, citing unreleased information that led him to that belief.
There has been no information that Cavalcante had fled into Bucks and Montgomery counties, but the areas do have numerous highways that could be used for escape.
After several days of confirmed and probable sightings, Cavalcante has not been spotted since the weekend, Bivens said.
Supervisory Deputy U.S Marshal Rob Clark said law enforcement will find Cavalcante and is employing multiple techniques to locate the wanted man.
With the growing concern that Cavalcante might steal another vehicle or gather supplies to survive while on the run, Bivens urged residents to regularly check their surveillance footage and lock their homes and vehicles.
More than 300 law enforcement officials – ranging from state game wardens to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers – have been taking part. Bivens said there will be an increased presence near sighting locations.
The high-ranking state police official told media that law enforcement conduct fugitive searches every day and will not be pausing until the convict is found.
Cavalcante’s sister did not help with the investigation into her brother’s whereabouts, and she was arrested for having a visa overstay status. Federal authorities will begin deportation proceedings, Bivens said.
Recently, Cavalcante was convicted of stabbing his ex-girlfriend to death in Chester County. He is also wanted for a 2017 killing of a man in Brazil, according to BBC News.
Cavalcante made his escape close to two weeks ago from the Chester County Prison by climbing a prison yard wall, navigating through razor wire, and fleeing via the rooftop. Prison staff noticed he was gone 30 minutes alter. Authorities believe Cavalcante copied a previous inmate’s escape method from the same prison a few months before.
Police have been given the green light to employ deadly force if Cavalcante refuses arrest, PennLive.com reported.
The Chester County District Attorney’s Office said a reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to the capture of Cavalcante. Anyone with information can call 9-1-1 or the tip line at 717-562-2987.
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