Pennsylvania police released an update on Tuesday morning (12) regarding the massive manhunt for the Brazilian murderer sentenced to life in prison who escaped from a state penitentiary nearly two weeks ago.
Danilo Cavalcante, according to the police, is armed with a stolen weapon.
Cavalcante escaped from Chester County prison on August 31 by “walking like a crab between two walls, climbing a fence, and crossing barbed wire,” as captured by security cameras.
What is known about the case
• A multi-agency search: There are now about 500 police officers from different agencies assisting in the manhunt for the man.
• Last seen: Cavalcante was seen on Monday (11) in South Coventry Township, Chester County, about 32 kilometers north of the prison from which he escaped, according to an emergency alert sent by authorities to residents in the area via email and text message.
• The fugitive is armed: Cavalcante “is armed and extremely dangerous,” police reported. He is believed to have a .22 caliber rifle that he stole from a resident’s garage overnight. The homeowner fired several shots at Cavalcante, but there is no information that the fugitive was injured. Police believe Cavalcante is “desperate enough” to use the stolen rifle. People living within the search perimeter have been warned to secure their homes.
• Footprints located: Police found footprints in the mud “identical” to the shoes that Cavalcante was wearing in prison. After finding the footprints, Cavalcante’s prison shoes were found abandoned. A resident told police that a pair of boots was stolen from her porch.
• What makes the search so challenging: It is a large, densely wooded area with many places to hide. Additionally, it is a region with a huge system of underground tunnels and large drainage ditches.
The crime
Danilo Cavalcante was sentenced to life in prison on August 22 for stabbing his ex-girlfriend Déborah Brandão, also Brazilian, who was 34 years old at the time, to death.
According to the prosecution, Danilo stabbed the woman to death in front of her children, aged 4 and 7. He could not accept the end of their relationship. The murder occurred in April 2021.
Source: CNN