Internationally Wanted Man Escapes in US: Hundreds of Officers Searching for Convict Considered Extremely Dangerous
Hundreds of law enforcement agents searched Friday for a man recently convicted of murder in Pennsylvania for the stabbing of his ex-girlfriend, a day after he escaped from Chester County Prison in West Chester.
Danelo Cavalcante, 34, also is wanted in his native Brazil in a separate slaying and is considered extremely dangerous, authorities said.
The search dragged through a second day, with authorities using drones, helicopters and dogs.
Searchers were focusing on railways, waterways and routes out of the West Chester area, Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said at a news conference Friday.
West Chester has a population of about 20,000 and is approximately an hour west of Philadelphia.
Ryan said authorities believe Cavalcante is trying to flee south, but they also have no evidence that he has left the area or that he is receiving assistance from others.
Authorities described Cavalcante as 5 feet tall and 120 pounds. He has curly black hair and a closely cropped beard and mustache, according to a photo released by Chester County.
Authorities said area residents should scan video from their doorbells or surveillance cameras for anything suspicious and check their cars, sheds and any outbuildings.
They also advised people to check the homes of vacationing neighbors and look for missing cars, bicycles or any other mode of transportation Cavalcante could use to aid his flight.
Robert Clark, supervisor of the U.S. Marshals fugitive task force in Philadelphia, said the Brazilian consulate was advised of Cavalcante’s escape.
Cavalcante escaped Thursday morning and was seen walking on a road near the jail shortly afterward, authorities said.
They have not disclosed the circumstances of his escape and say the matter is under investigation.
A jury convicted Cavalcante last month of killing Deborah Brandao, his ex-girlfriend, in front of her children in 2021.
Cavalcante was sentenced to life in prison and was awaiting a transfer to state prison.
Prosecutors have said he killed Brandao to stop her from telling police about the charges against him in Brazil in connection with a 2017 slaying.
Cavalcante was captured in Virginia after Brandao’s killing, and authorities say they believe he was trying to return to Brazil.
Cavalcante originally came to the United States illegally after fleeing Brazil to Puerto Rico following the 2017 killing for which he is wanted, authorities said.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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