Danelo Cavalcante, a convicted criminal who escaped from a Pennsylvania prison more than a week ago, evaded capture again.
This time, he reportedly altered his appearance, stole a van, and sought refuge with former coworkers.
Escaped Convict Danelo Cavalcante Eludes Capture Again, Alters Appearance and Steals Van
During a news conference on Sunday, Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police disclosed that Cavalcante, 34, was captured on a doorbell camera at the residence of a former coworker on Saturday night.
In the obtained images, the fugitive had effectively altered his appearance by shaving his beard and donning a dark-billed baseball cap and a green hooded sweatshirt.
Cavalcante visited a second former colleague that evening, but neither was home when he arrived. He allegedly drove a van seized from a dairy farm with the keys still inside.
The van was abandoned in a field in West Nantmeal Township, a rural area in northern Chester County, by mid-Sunday morning.
Cavalcante remains at large despite extensive efforts to locate him, including using drones, helicopters, canines, and approximately 400 law enforcement officers from multiple agencies.
Bivens emphasized the significance of public assistance in locating him and urged anyone with information to contact authorities promptly.
Cavalcante escaped on August 31, a week after being sentenced to life in prison for the savage murder of his 33-year-old ex-girlfriend, Deborah Brandao.
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In August 2021, prosecutors disclosed that he had repeatedly stabbed her in front of her small children.
Brandao discovered Cavalcante’s outstanding warrant for a 2017 murder in Brazil, Cavalcante’s home country, and threatened to report him to the authorities, which prompted the fatal assault.
At least eight sightings of the fugitive have been reported thus far in the search for him. The search perimeter has shifted, with initial emphasis on the renowned botanical garden Longwood Gardens.
Saturday night’s sighting signaled Cavalcante’s departure from the area, which surprised law enforcement.
When asked how Cavalcante had repeatedly evaded capture, Bivens explained that no perimeter could be 100 percent secure and cited the terrain’s obstacles, such as underground tunnels and drainage areas.
Bivens emphasized the importance of residents securing their homes and outbuildings to thwart Cavalcante’s efforts, characterizing him as a determined individual willing to endure hardships to evade a life sentence in prison.
He reassured the public that authorities remain equally committed and intent to apprehend the fugitive murderer.
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