Pennsylvania authorities alerted to possible sighting of convicted killer who escaped prison
Danelo Cavalcante was convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend in 2021
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Pennsylvania authorities said convicted killer prison escapee Danelo Cavalcante was possibly spotted around noon Thursday.
Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said during a Thursday press conference that Cavalcante was possibly seen near Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. He said a search of that area has been underway since the possible sighting.
Cavalcante escaped from the Chester County Prison the morning of Aug. 31, and the U.S. Marshals Service says he's also wanted for a homicide in Brazil. Officials believe he's headed south, but didn't give a specific location where they think he's headed.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Cavalcante was convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend in 2021 and sentenced to life in prison.
Acting Warden of Chester County Prison Howard Holland released video of Danelo Cavalcante's escape from the prison during a Wednesday press conference, which shows the convicted killer crab walking up a wall. (Chester County DA)
Acting Warden of Chester County Prison Howard Holland released video of Cavalcante's escape from the prison during a Wednesday press conference, which shows the convicted killer crab walking up a wall.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}During a press conference on Wednesday, officials said Cavalcante's prison escape was similar to the May 19 escape of Igor Bolt at the same prison.
PENNSYLVANIA PRISONER MANHUNT: DETAILS OF DANELO CAVALCANTE'S ESCAPE EMERGE
Danelo Cavalcante. (West Chester Police Department)
Bolt was located by a jail tower officer within five minutes of his escape and was taken back into custody. On Aug. 31, Cavalcante wasn't located by a tower officer when he escaped.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}After the May escape, a number of security consultants were brought in and improvements were made, such as additional razor wire intended to block access to the roof.
Danelo Cavalcante's whereabouts are unknown following his prison escape in Pennsylvania. (West Chester Police Department)
On Aug. 31 at 8:33 a.m., Cavalcante is seen entering the exercise yard along with a block of inmates. At 8:51, he is seen crab-walking up a wall, where he goes on to push through razor wire, run across the roof, scale another fence and push through more razor wire before leaving the prison.
At 9:35 a.m., Cavalcante's block returns from the exercise yard, and officers notify central control of a missing inmate at 9:45 a.m.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}At 9:48 a.m., officers informed central control that Cavalcante was missing. The prison was locked down at 9:50 a.m., and Holland said the 911 center was notified.
Danelo Cavalcante was spotted on a trail cam Monday night at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, as he squeezed his way through a wooded area to evade capture. (Pennsylvania State Police)
Some schools within the Kennett Consolidated School District and Unionville-Chadds Ford School District reopened on Thursday after being closed on Tuesday and Wednesday due to the ongoing search.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Bivens said Thursday that officials are searching an 8 to 10 square mile area and says he has "every reason to believe" Cavalcante is still in the perimeter.
Danelo Cavalcante was spotted on a trail cam Monday night at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, as he squeezed his way through a wooded area to evade capture. (Pennsylvania State Police)
He said that Cavalcante is still believed to be a "very dangerous individual."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"This is not simply a situation where we have a police dispatcher sitting and taking a call and dispatching a police car to go and follow this up. It is a very sophisticated, well-staffed operation," he said.