Danelo Cavalcante, a convicted murderer who managed to escape from a Pennsylvania jail, successfully evaded capture by slipping through a police perimeter last Thursday. Now, authorities are urging for an expanded search effort, as they have confirmed it to be him caught on a trail camera in a nearby botanical garden on Tuesday.
There is strong suspicion among authorities that Cavalcante may still be hiding within Longwood Gardens, which is approximately five miles away from the prison he escaped from in Pocopson Township six days prior.
Cavalcante’s escape occurred a week after he was sentenced to life in prison for the 2021 murder of his former girlfriend, 38-year-old Deborah Brandao. This gruesome act involved her being brutally stabbed in front of her two young children, triggered by her discovery of Cavalcante’s prior murder charges in Brazil. She had also threatened to report him to the police. Subsequently, Cavalcante fled to Virginia, where he was apprehended and extradited back to Pennsylvania to face charges.
Lieutenant Col. George Bevins, from the Pennsylvania State Police, revealed that Cavalcante exploited a vulnerability in the police perimeter and fled southward to Longwood Gardens. This led to the temporary closure of the gardens to the public. The trail camera captured Cavalcante on two separate occasions, both times sporting a hooded sweatshirt and carrying items believed to be stolen – specifically, a backpack and duffle bag.
Bevins emphasized the dire nature of the situation, highlighting Cavalcante’s efforts to avoid arrest. Despite a state trooper having previously spotted him from a distance near the prison, Cavalcante managed to elude capture.
“He’s a bad guy. He needs to be in custody and we’re determined to capture him,” Bevins told reporters.
In response to the ongoing search, local schools made the decision to cancel classes and implement flexible schedules. Law enforcement expanded their search perimeter and intensified their efforts to exert pressure on Cavalcante to surrender. Police broadcasted a heartfelt message from Cavalcante’s mother, recorded in Portuguese, in a plea for her son’s peaceful surrender.
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In the meantime, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) has issued an advisory for residents to up their security by locking doors and windows and promptly reporting any suspicious activities.
