A “heat signal” detected by a federal aircraft on Wednesday morning (13) led to the capture of Brazilian murderer Danelo Cavalcanti, sentenced to life in prison.
The Pennsylvania State Police Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens said the 34-year-old fugitive was captured around 8 a.m. 24 kilometers north of the Chester County prison, from where he escaped on August 31. Nine days prior, he had been sentenced to life in prison for the first-degree murder of his ex-girlfriend in April 2021.
Authorities obtained an important lead on Cavalcante’s whereabouts when a burglary alarm at a home was triggered shortly after midnight on Wednesday.
A DEA aircraft using thermal imaging equipment was then able to guide a tactical team that approached Cavalcante. As Cavalcante attempted to crawl away from the area, Bivens said, a police dog was released, which successfully “subdued” him while inflicting “a small bite” on his scalp.
Cavalcante, who allegedly recently stole a rifle, was apprehended “without gunfire,” and no police officers were injured in the operation, said state Governor Josh Shapiro.
Capture Ends a ‘Nightmare’
The search for Cavalcante disrupted the lives of residents in the areas where he was believed to be hiding, leading to school closures and the establishment of checkpoints on roads, not to mention the fear that he might invade homes or resort to further violence.
Murderer’s Sister to be Deported
Danelo Cavalcante’s sister “is in the process of deportation,” Bivens said. He confirmed during the Wednesday press conference that the fugitive’s sister attempted to assist him after his escape.
Previously, Bivens had confirmed that Cavalcante’s sister had been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He did not detail the reasons but stated that authorities “take steps to try to minimize or eliminate” any assistance the inmate may receive. “And that’s exactly what we did.”
Source: AP and CNN