Escaped Murderer Captured in Pennsylvania
The manhunt for Cavalcante began after he crabbed walked up two parallel prison walls to the roof of Chester County Prison. He held police off for nearly two weeks, hiding in brush and heavily wooded areas (Image courtesy of the Chester County District Attorney's Office).
The People of Chester County, Pennsylvania can sleep soundly again knowing the escaped 34-year old first-degree murderer is back behind bars.
Article by Julia O’Keefe, Senior Correspondent
CHESTER COUNTY, Pa. - Convicted murderer Danilo Cavalcante was taken back into custody Wednesday morning following a two-week long manhunt after he escaped from Chester County Prison in Pennsylvania last month.
Cavalcante was found hiding behind a John Deer store in South Coventry Township and captured around 8 a.m., ending the search that began after his initial escape on Aug. 31. While on the run, Cavalcante posed a threat to nearby residents as reports rose of him breaking into homes in search of food and weapons. Those threats are eliminated as Cavalcante is now in Pennsylvania State Prison Phoenix , where he will serve his life sentence for the first-degree murder of his ex-girlfriend, 33-year-old Deborah Brandão.
“Today is a great day here in Chester County,” said Chester County District Attorney, Deb Ryan. “Our nightmare is finally over and the good guys won. We owe a debt of gratitude to all of the first responders for their tireless and dedicated efforts in bringing this fugitive to justice.”
The manhunt for Cavalcante began after he crabbed walked up two parallel prison walls to the roof of Chester County Prison. He held police off for nearly two weeks, hiding in brush and heavily wooded areas.
During his time on the run, however, Cavalcante was spotted by nearby residents and on various surveillance cameras. He managed to shave, change his clothing, and steal a vehicle in an attempt to seek assistance from farmers in the Northern part of the county, according to the Associated Press. His most recent sighting before capture was by a homeowner who caught Cavalcante stealing a rifle from his garage. Although the homeowner opened fire on the fugitive, he was unharmed.
According to Lt. Colonel George Bivens, a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration aircraft picked up a thermal signal around 1 a.m. within the 8 to 10 square mile perimeter officials had set the day before. Tactical teams converged on that area, but incoming storms caused the aircraft to turn around and pause the tracking process. Fortunately, tactical teams were able to hold focus of the area overnight, and the aircraft returned Wednesday morning.
“They were able to move in very quietly, they had the element of surprise,” said Bivens according to NBC . “That did not stop him from trying to escape. He began to crawl through thick underbrush taking his rifle with him as he went.”
The Border Patrol Tactical Unit’s dog, Yoda, ultimately subdued Cavalcante so officials could move in. Although he resisted, the fugitive was taken into custody and no one was injured. Cavalcante sustained a minor bite wound, but medical personnel at the scene treated it.
After his capture Wednesday, Cavalcante was arraigned on a felony escape charge, from which a preliminary hearing was scheduled for Sept. 27. From there, he was driven to a Pennsylvania prison to carry out his life sentence.
Cavalcante’s victim’s sister, Sarah Brandão, wrote on social media per NBC: "The last two weeks have been extremely painful and terrifying as they have brought back all the feelings of losing my sister and the idea that the perpetrator could hurt us again. Therefore, I kindly ask that our privacy be respected so that we can collect ourselves and figure out how to overcome this tragic experience."
The jail tower guard on watch when Cavalcante escaped prison has since been fired. The incident sparked Chester County Prison to enhance their security by enclosing the exercise yards, installing additional security cameras, and staffing the grounds with more guards.