Share and Follow

More than a week after breaking out of a medium-security prison in Chester County, Pennsylvania, an hour west of Philadelphia, a convicted killer is still on the loose despite multiple credible sightings and a throng of state and federal authorities on the case.

Danelo Cavalcante’s bolt from police escalated over the weekend when he allegedly stole a white van and showed up at the front doors of two different former work acquaintances, authorities revealed.

RELATED: Convicted Murderer Escaped Pennsylvania Prison Using Similar Method as Inmate Who Broke Out of Same Facility in May

On August 31 — within days of being sentenced to life without parole for the April 2021 stabbing death of his girlfriend, 33-year-old Deborah Brandao — Cavalcante escaped Chester County Prison by “crab-walking” between two walls in an exercise yard, pushing through razor wire to reach the roof, and fleeing into the local community on foot.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported he had a history of domestic violence and threw Brandao to the ground, stabbing her more than 30 times in front of her kids. Cavalcante, 34, is also wanted for a 2017 homicide in his native Brazil. 

According to police, Cavalcante has changed his appearance by shaving off his facial hair since his prison escape. Before this weekend, authorities seemed confident they were closing in on Cavalcante. Hundreds of police officers were called in to set up a perimeter in an area encompassing the popular botanical garden, Longwood Gardens, but the fugitive’s latest move changed the scope of the search.

RELATED: “Extremely Dangerous” Convicted Murderer Escapes Pennsylvania Prison, Sparking Hunt and Reward

Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens detailed at a press conference Sunday what happened. “Sometime during the evening of September 9, Cavalcante stole a 2020 Ford Transit van from an area approximately three-quarters of a mile from the perimeter we were maintaining near the Longwood Gardens Property,” Bivens said.

“At 9:52 p.m., he attempted to contact an individual he had known and worked with several years prior,” Bivens added. “Cavalcante spoke with the individual via a video doorbell at that residence and inquired about meeting… The individual was at dinner with his family and did not respond… Calvacante left that residence. The homeowner eventually returned home, reviewed his doorbell recording, and called local police.”

Fifteen minutes later, the fugitive sought out a second acquaintance, who was also not home, police said. According to Bivens, a quick-thinking female resident spotted him and called the police. Thanks to these reports, police placed Cavalcante in the Phoenixville area, about 45 minutes away from the prison.

On Sunday morning, at 10:40 a.m., the stolen van was found abandoned in a field behind a barn in the heavily wooded area of East Nantmeal Township.

RELATED: Defense for Man Charged with Killing Hollywood Sex Therapist Suggests She Fell from Balcony While Fleeing Him

In another press conference on Monday, Bivens asked Chester County residents in the area of Pocopson Township to keep a lookout and to ensure that their vehicles, homes, and outbuildings are locked.

The U.S. Marshals Service and the police have upped a reward to a combined $25,000 for information leading to Calvalcante’s capture.

“I know this is an extremely stressful time for the community. We are doing everything possible to bring this to a resolution as quickly as possible,” Bivens said.  

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Man Allegedly Chips 74-Year-Old Mom’s Tooth During Car Theft Attempt, Police Report

Background: Body camera footage shows Donald Chadwell being detained (Edmond Police Department).…

Man Attempts to Hire Hitman to Murder Wife Seeking Divorce, Leaving 6 Children

Mohammad A. H. Mohammad (Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office). An Alabama man tried…

College Cheerleader in Court as Baby Death Case Is Given to Grand Jury

A Kentucky woman charged with concealing her newborn baby’s death appeared in…

Police Report: Nursing Home Resident Involved in Towel Strangulation Incident

Share copy link Background: News footage of Heritage Village in Waterville, Ohio…

Man Awaiting Trial in Several Cases Detained for Armed Robbery

Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Pierre Lavon Williams, 35, was arrested yesterday…

Husband Kills Wife During Argument Over Her Weight After Pregnancy

A 25-year-old California man has been charged with the death of his…

Judge Rules Mike Lindell of MyPillow Made Defamatory Statements Against Smartmatic

Mike Lindell gives a thumbs up as he passes by a rally…

UPDATE: ANOTHER Body Found in Bayou Near Where College Student Was Discovered Dead Days Earlier

An investigation is underway after a body was found in a bayou…