A convicted murderer who escaped a Pennsylvania prison Thursday was spotted on a surveillance camera in the area, according to local officials.
A convicted murderer who escaped a Pennsylvania prison Thursday was spotted on a surveillance camera in the area, according to local officials.
Danelo Cavalcante, 34, broke out of the Chester County Prison, about 30 miles west of Philadelphia, at around 8:50 a.m. Thursday, the Chester County District Attorney’s Office said. The district attorney, Deb Ryan, described Cavalcante as “an extremely dangerous man.”
Cavalcante was convicted of first-degree murder on August 16 for killing his former girlfriend, 33-year-old Deborah Brandão, in 2021. He was sentenced to life without parole last week.
The camera recorded Cavalcante at approximately 12:30 a.m. on Saturday about 1.5 miles away from Chester County Prison, the DA said in a Facebook post on Saturday morning. He was wearing a light-colored T-shirt, pants, and white sneakers and carrying a backpack. The DA described him as 5 feet tall with “shaggy black hair” and brown eyes.
Police also received a report of an attempted burglary at 11:30 p.m. in nearby Pocopson Township, the DA’s Facebook post says.
“Law enforcement is requesting that residents in the area remain indoors at this time. Lock your vehicles. Review your surveillance cameras and contact police if you observe anything suspicious,” Ryan said in a statement. “Danelo Cavalcante is considered an extremely dangerous man. Please remain vigilant in assisting with this search. If you see this individual do not approach him. Call 911 immediately.”
In a Saturday afternoon update, the district attorney reiterated authorities believe Cavalcante is still within one to two miles of the prison.
