After two weeks on the run, convicted killer Danelo Cavalcante was caught in a wooded
area of South Coventry Township on September 13th.
area of South Coventry Township on September 13th.
Last month, 34-year-old Cavalcante was convicted of the first-degree murder of his
girlfriend in 2021 and sentenced to life in prison. Before his arrest, he attempted to flee to
Mexico and then his home country, Brazil. He also was wanted in Brazil on separate homicide
charges back in 2017.
He was in Chester County Prison in southern east Pennsylvania awaiting transfer to a
state prison when video camera footage showed him crab-walking between two walls covered
in razor wire. He jumped off the roof and was on the run. The unidentified veteran guard who
missed Cavalcante’s escape has since been fired due to having a cell phone in the watchtower,
a clear violation of Chester County Prison policy.
His escape prompted a statewide manhunt, prompting schools to close and everyone in
the area to be on high alert. For almost two weeks, he evaded state police, but had at least eight
different sightings near the search area. Officials learned Danelo could reach these places from
the refrigerated van he stole in West Chester. Patrols were attempting everything, such as
helicopters and different search tactics, even going as far as playing recorded audio of
Cavalcante’s mother urging him to surrender. Authorities had even offered $25,000 for
information leading up to his arrest.
On September 11th, officers were alerted that he was responsible for a home break-in
and stealing a .22-caliber Ruger rifle with a scope. His clothing and shoes were found in the
surrounding area.
A day before his capture, officials began to narrow down on his whereabouts. Around
midnight, a burglar alarm went off in a home within the search area, yet Calvacante was
nowhere to be found. At 8 AM, law enforcement discovered a heat source with the help of
thermal imaging.
“Cavalcante did not realize he was surrounded,” said Pennsylvania State Police Lt Col.
George Bivens. Danelo was asleep when police found him, lying on top of the gun he had stolen
days prior. He tried to flee by hiding in a thick underbrush with the rifle. At that moment, they
released the police dog that was on the scene. The dog bite prevented him from grabbing and
using the weapon. After struggling and resisting, Danelo Cavalcante was finally caught, ending
two weeks of fear and panic for the surrounding community.
There were no other reported injuries other than Calvalcante’s minor dog bite. Multiple
officers posed for a group photo with the criminal, along with the rifle he was carrying. Officials
have revealed that for the two weeks that he was hiding from the police, he survived by eating
watermelon from a farm and burying his fecal matter to avoid being tracked.
He was soon transferred to the State Correctional Institution Phoenix, a maximum
security prison in Pennsylvania. Here, Danelo will serve his life sentence for first-degree
murder. Along with his first-degree murder conviction, he has been charged with felony escape
and is expected to have a preliminary hearing in court on September 27th.
Danelo’s sister, Eleni Cavalcante, has been detained by US Immigration and Customs
Enforcement due to not cooperating with the investigation and is currently undergoing
deportation. Officials have confirmed certain individuals were trying to help and assist in
Danelo’s escape, Eleni being one of them.
“This was an exhaustive search for an extremely violent and dangerous man that ended
with the best possible outcome – the escapee’s capture without physical harm to residents or
the brave officers who tracked him down,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry
stated.
