Escaped Pennsylvania killer Danelo Cavalcante is Captured by tactical teams
Captured: Escaped Killer Danelo Cavalcante Apprehended by Pennsylvania State Police
BREAKING UPDATE: In a dramatic turn of events, Pennsylvania State Police announced the capture of Danelo Cavalcante, the convicted killer who had managed to evade authorities for two harrowing weeks. The relentless manhunt had mobilized hundreds of law enforcement officials, sending shockwaves through the local community.
The breakthrough in the search for Cavalcante came shortly after 8 a.m. on Wednesday. An aircraft detected a heat signal within the designated search area, prompting tactical teams on the ground to swiftly move in for the apprehension, as confirmed by Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens.
Cavalcante, desperate to escape, attempted to flee by crawling through dense underbrush while armed with a rifle. However, law enforcement deployed a police dog that successfully subdued him. It was a moment of triumph for the dedicated teams working tirelessly to bring the fugitive to justice.
The culmination of this intense manhunt brought relief to the local community and marked the end of a period filled with anxiety and fear. A reverse 911 call was issued to area residents, confirming Cavalcante’s capture, as the news spread like wildfire.
In a video captured by CNN affiliate KYW, Cavalcante could be seen in handcuffs, escorted into the back of an armored Special Response Team vehicle, surrounded by a formidable assembly of law enforcement officials. As officers examined a tattoo on his back, it was evident that the fugitive was now in custody.
Cavalcante’s capture followed a strategic shift in the manhunt to South Coventry Township in Chester County. Authorities had recently revealed that Cavalcante was armed, prompting the closure of schools and putting residents on high alert. The fear had been palpable as police scoured the area, just 20 miles north of the prison he had escaped from two weeks earlier.
The events leading to Cavalcante’s capture had taken a dramatic turn when he appeared shirtless at a homeowner’s garage. In a desperate act, he seized a .22-caliber rifle, raising concerns about his potential for violence. The homeowner fired a shot as Cavalcante fled, but fortunately, there were no reported injuries.
The community of South Coventry Township, with its population of just over 2,600, was profoundly impacted by Cavalcante’s presence. Local businesses, like Giuseppe Gatto’s pizza shop, were forced to close, and residents lived in fear, uncertain of the fugitive’s next move.
Emma de Long, a local farmer, expressed her concerns about the situation disrupting local farmers’ harvests and how quickly she had to secure her property upon learning that Cavalcante was armed and dangerous.
Cavalcante’s escape from Chester County Prison, a rural facility west of Philadelphia, had been nothing short of audacious. Following his first-degree murder conviction in the killing of his former girlfriend, Deborah Brandão, he had “crab-walked” up to the prison roof and made his escape on August 31.
During his two weeks on the run, Cavalcante displayed resourcefulness, entering homes, eluding police search perimeters, stealing a van, altering his appearance, and even returning to people he had known in the past to steal a firearm.
As the manhunt continued, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro urged Cavalcante to surrender, emphasizing that the authorities believed they had contained him within a specific area.
The theft of the rifle during his encounter with the homeowner was described as a “crime of opportunity” by Lt. Col. George Bivens. This incident led to one of the most dramatic nights in the manhunt, with a massive law enforcement response in South Coventry Township.
In the end, the tireless efforts of law enforcement paid off, bringing an end to the community’s ordeal. Pennsylvania State Senator Katie Muth expressed gratitude to law enforcement for capturing Cavalcante and acknowledged that while justice could not bring Deborah Brandão back to her family, they could now rest easier knowing that Cavalcante posed no further threat.
Cavalcante’s capture was a testament to the dedication and determination of law enforcement, who had relentlessly pursued a fugitive responsible for a heinous crime. It was a sigh of relief for a community that had been living in fear, and a reminder of the unwavering commitment of those tasked with protecting the public.
By: M Z Hossain, Digital Journalist
