East Parkland TWP., Pa. — Authorities surrounded an area in northern Chester County, Pennsylvania, Monday night after a new confirmed sighting of fugitive Danelo Cavalcante, our sister station WPVI-TV has learned.
Sources believe Cavalcante may be carrying a rifle and fleeing in the southeastern town of Temer.
The sighting was conducted by a helicopter in the surrounding area near Highway 100 and Pricer Road.
The perimeter extends to three townships: South Coventry, West Vincent and South East Temer.
WPVI has confirmed that a homeowner in the 3500 block of Coventryville Road in East Nantmeal Township shot someone matching Cavalcante’s description.
It’s unclear whether the man was shot as no blood was found at the scene, but sources believe the man was armed and could be a convicted murderer.
Residents in the area are asked to lock all exterior doors and windows, secure vehicles and stay indoors.
Sources told WPVI that a pair of shoes believed to be Cavalcante were found during the search.
The prisoner has been on the run since escaping from prison on August 31.
Anyone with information please call 911 Or call the police reporting hotline 717-562-2987.
***This is a breaking news update…follows previous coverage***
Pennsylvania’s massive manhunt for fugitive killer Danelo Cavalcante continued over the weekend with several major developments but no arrests.
We learned that Cavalcante, 34, slipped out of the original search area, changed his appearance, stole a milk delivery truck and tried to contact acquaintances.
Although his doorbell video was recorded, his attempts to contact acquaintances were unsuccessful. The truck has been recovered.
Also Read | Danelo Cavalcante Prison Escape: Murderer Changes Appearance; Sources Say Stolen Van Has Been Recovered
However, Lt. Col. George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police said authorities were still concerned Cavalcante might try to steal another vehicle.
During an afternoon press conference, Bivens also said there was no longer a clear search area but police were following up on information and tips from the public.
These images captured by a doorbell camera show Danelo Cavalcante on the evening of September 9, 2023, in East Pikeland Twp., Pennsylvania.
goodbye.state police
He said residents in southeast Termeier Twp., where the truck was found, and other areas in northern Chester County may see an increased police presence as the search continues.
“Absent information to the contrary, yes, I believe he is still in Chester County,” Bivens said. “But, having said that, we will always consider other options.”
Police announced Monday that the reward for information leading to Cavalcante’s capture has been increased to $25,000.
Anyone with information please call 911 Or call the police reporting hotline 717-562-2987.
Authorizes Pennsylvania State Police to use deadly force
Lt. Col. George Bivens said state police had the authority to use deadly force if Cavalcant did not voluntarily surrender.
He noted that other agencies involved in the search may have their own rules.
In the wake of nationwide protests and calls for police reform following the police killing of George Floyd, some law enforcement agencies have instituted stricter requirements for pre-authorization of different levels of force.
Learn more | Victim’s sister says Pennsylvania runaway went from kind neighbor to jealous, threatening boyfriend
Pennsylvania police regulations, which were reissued in July, outline specific circumstances for the use of deadly force, including to prevent the escape of someone convicted of a violent felony, such as murder, and who may pose a threat to the community.
State police officials would have preauthorized the use of deadly force against troopers if Cavalcant did not surrender, eliminating potential delays.
Bivens vowed to “vigorously continue” the search with the help of federal, state, county and local resources and expressed confidence the fugitive will eventually be captured.
“It’s a minor setback,” he said. “We’ll catch him, it’s just a matter of time.”
Cavalcante arrested in doorbell video
Police say at 9:52 p.m. Saturday, Cavalcante was in East Pikeland Twp when he tried to contact someone he knew and worked with several years ago. However, the man was eating with his family and did not respond.
These images captured by a doorbell camera show Danelo Cavalcante on the evening of September 9, 2023, in East Pikeland Twp., Pennsylvania.
goodbye.state police
Cavalcante was captured on a doorbell camera and the homeowner contacted police around 12:30 a.m. after returning home, Bivins said at a news conference Sunday afternoon.
Police said images in the video show Cavalcante clean-shaven and wearing a green hooded sweatshirt, a black baseball cap, green prison pants and white shoes.
Police said Cavalcante obtained the sweatshirt from the stolen van. It’s unclear how he shaved his head.
Learn More | Danelo Cavalcante Prison Escape: PA Prisoner Escapes by Climbing Wall, Jumping over Barbed Wire | Video
Police also learned that Cavalcante was sighted at the home of another former colleague at 10:07 pm on Saturday.
The co-worker was not home, but a friend of a female resident spotted him and called police.
As for the stolen van, police said Cavalcante apparently abandoned it in a field behind a barn in the southeastern town of Temer after running out of gas. It was discovered around 10:40 a.m. Sunday.
Since then, investigators have been searching around the area.
Bivens said the stolen van was not noticed until police patrolled the area looking for stolen vehicles. Police said Cavalcante was able to steal the van because the keys were left inside.
Police are now asking residents to protect their cars and property amid fears he may have tried to steal another vehicle.
Cavalcante, 34, who was serving a life sentence for stabbing his ex-girlfriend to death in 2021, escaped from the Chester County Jail on Aug. 31 and awaited transfer to a state prison.
Prosecutors said he wanted to prevent her from telling police that he was wanted for a murder in his native Brazil.
Cavalcante had ties to Phoenixville and his victim had family there.
He is 5 feet tall and weighs 120 pounds. He is Brazilian and speaks Portuguese, Spanish and some English.
Cavalcante’s sister was also arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for overstaying her visa, police said.
School announces new safety measures
As the search for a fugitive murderer continues, Chester County schools are taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of students and staff.
The Owen J. Roberts School District in Pottstown said there will be increased security on campus Monday.
Officials also said they will not hold physical education classes during or after school hours.
SEE ALSO | Philadelphia Area Arboretum fugitive caught on trail camera; schools closed due to manhunt
The Phoenixville School District said classes will continue as normal with no outdoor activities.
Kennett Unified School District said it will resume normal operations Monday.
Longwood Gardens will reopen
Longwood Gardens officials say the popular attraction will reopen at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, as the search for Cavalcante progresses.
The garden was closed last Thursday due to numerous sightings of the fugitive in the area.
Cavalcante was captured on a trail camera Wednesday night, prompting law enforcement officials to take a series of actions.
Subsequently, park managers issued a message requiring park personnel to shelter in place and announced the closure of attractions.
Now that Cavalcante has moved further north, officials are ready to reopen, according to the website.
How did Cavalcante break through the defense?
Another community was also on alert after multiple Cavalcante sightings, and state police were pressed on how Cavalcante managed to break through a massive 400-person police cordon near Longwood Gardens, steal a cow cart and then Abandon it and take off again.
Bivins admitted at a news conference on Sunday that Cavalcante had not escaped their grasp, citing a series of factors including terrain, tunnels and weather.
“I’m not going to make excuses to you. I wish this hadn’t happened. Unfortunately, there were a lot of situations. There were a lot of issues associated with the property,” Bivens said.
While it’s unclear whether Cavalcante was assisted in his escape, Colonel Bivens issued a stern warning to anyone trying to aid Cavalcante.
“If we can prove that they assisted him, they will be prosecuted vigorously and the type of charges depends on the type of assistance, but we have the DA here and I don’t want to speak for her but I’m sure she is prepared to prosecute anyone with Preparation for anyone to assist in any way.”
Cavalcante’s former roommate speaks out
Action News spoke with Cavalcante’s former roommate, Franco, about his time living with the now-convicted killer.
Franco said he lived with Cavalcante for four months before he moved out a day before stabbing his ex-girlfriend to death.
He also said he didn’t expect his former roommate to do something like this.
“Super quiet guy, works hard every day, goes out around five or six in the morning. Comes back around seven, eight, and sometimes around 10 at night he takes a shower and goes to bed, so I don’t see him very often,” Franco said . “Now I’m anxious about this, and I’m anxious again this week. I tell my friends I’m not sleeping well.”
“I said ‘let me see if I can help’ and I talked to the police officer for an hour,” he continued. “I just wanted him to get caught.”
Cavalcante found guilty of killing ex-girlfriend
Cavalcante was convicted of murdering Deborah Brandao of Schuylkill Township in front of her two children on Aug. 16. He was convicted of first-degree murder for stabbing him 38 times.
After Brandau was killed, he was captured in Virginia and authorities believed he was trying to return to his home country.
He was sentenced last week to life in prison without the possibility of parole and will be transferred to a state correctional facility within four weeks for the fatal stabbing.
