A school district in southeastern Pennsylvania, which had closed all of its schools and offices on Tuesday, announced that schools would reopen after Danelo Cavalcante, an escaped inmate, was captured.
Cavalcante was caught by a police dog after a heat sensor detected his location.
Cavalcante escaped from the Chester Country Prison two weeks ago.
In a statement, the superintendent of the Owen J. Roberts School District in Pottstown said, “As a result of increased police activity in our community related to the pursuit of an escaped inmate from Chester County Prison, and after consultation with state and local law enforcement, we have made the decision to close all schools and offices in our district today.”
Superintendent Will Stout added that the safety and security of the students and staff was a top priority. “We know that this situation is stressful and upsetting for our entire community,” he said.
During the escape, the school district was in regular contact with the Pennsylvania State Police, Chester County Emergency Services and local law enforcement.
Pennsylvania State Police said during a press conference, that Cavalcante, 34, took off the neon green sweatshirt, white t-shirt and prison sneakers that he was wearing in custody, stealing a pair of work boots from a porch. He also stole a .22 caliber rifle from a garage in the area.
