Chester County prison escapee climbed an exercise yard wall, just as an inmate did in May
As the search for convicted killer Danelo Souza Cavalcante entered its seventh day and pushed east into Chadds Ford on Wednesday, Chester County prison officials detailed how Cavalcante fled the county facility in a similar manner to another inmate’s escape three months earlier.
Chester County prison acting warden Howard Holland said during a Wednesday afternoon news conference that Cavalcante escaped by scaling a wall of the exterior exercise yard, running across the roof and into a less secure area to elude guards.
Igor Bolte escaped from the county prison May 19, scaling the wall of the exercise yard and running across the roof, Holland said.
Escaped inmate: Manhunt for escaped Chester County inmate Danelo Souza Cavalcante continues; schools close
“Cavalcante escaped at the same location as Igor Bolte, but for Cavalcante, there was razor wire to contend with before reaching the roof,” he said.
Prison officials gave details on Cavalcante’s escape as hundreds of officers pushed further south across Route 1 and east to Creek Road in Pennsbury Township on Wednesday.
Cavalcante was sentenced to life in prison without parole for stabbing 33-year-old Deborah Brandao to death in 2021 while her 7-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son were present. He was awaiting transfer to a state facility when he escaped the Chester County prison Thursday.
A reward for information that leads to Cavalcante’s capture has increased to $20,000.
How Cavalcante escaped Chester County prison
After Bolte’s escape in May, the prison hired consultants to evaluate the facility and recommend changes to prevent future escapes, but the physical improvements weren’t enough to prevent Cavalcante’s breakout.
Holland said additional razor wire was installed on the roof at the wall where Bolte had escaped, a physical improvement that did not deter Cavalcante.
“It was determined by our security advisors that this one level of security was sufficient,” Holland said. “While we believe the security measures we had in place were sufficient, they’ve proven otherwise. And we will move quickly to enhance our security measures.”
During Wednesday’s news conference, authorities played security footage of Cavalcante “spider” walking up the wall of a narrow corridor in the exercise yard to access the roof.
When Bolte escaped, the correction officer stationed in the tower saw the inmate flee and reported it immediately, leading to Bolte’s capture minutes later, Holland said.
In Cavalcante’s escape, Holland said, the tower officer didn’t see nor report his escape. It wasn’t until inmates returned from the exercise yard and officers took counts that they realized Cavalcante was missing, he said.
Planned changes after 2nd inmate escape
Both the prison as well as the Chester County District Attorney’s Office are investigating what led to Cavalcante’s escape, and Holland noted the conclusion of the prison’s internal investigation could result in action against staff.
“The action of the tower officer present at the time of Cavalcante’s escape is a key part of our internal investigation,” Holland said. “We’ll be taking appropriate action against personnel based on the results of that investigation.”
Engineers from Trans Systems - which is the firm Lancaster County hired to design its new prison - are also developing proposals for the Chester County prison board to “fully enclose all outside exercise yards,” Holland said.
Prison officials are exploring other improvements that can be made, including putting a correction officer in the yard in addition to the officer in the tower.
Search perimeter pushes east to Chadds Ford
Authorities continue to scour the heavily wooded terrain of southeastern Chester County in search of Cavalcante, which officials have said is a “very challenging area.”
DENSE WOODS: Chester County prison manhunt targets 'heavily wooded' area near Longwood Gardens
Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said the search perimeter has shifted south to Hillendale Road and east to Creek Road (also known as Historic Route 100). Route 52 North remains closed as well as the most western point of the search, he said.
State police have also been in contact with Delaware law enforcement as the search shifted south of Route 1.
While the search is in its seventh day, authorities remain concentrated in the same residential area near Longwood Gardens, and expressed confidence that their efforts are wearing Cavalcante down.
The prison is located about 40 miles from Philadelphia.
Cavalcante's conviction
Cavalcante’s escape comes a week after he was sentenced to life in prison without parole for fatally stabbing Brandao.
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. He was captured in Virginia after Brandao’s killing and authorities say they believe he was trying to return to Brazil.
Manhunt shutters businesses, schools
Longwood Gardens, which has over 1,000 acres of gardens, green space and wooded areas, remained closed Wednesday due to the manhunt.
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The gardens are located about 10 miles south of Chester County Prison.
The Kennett Consolidated School District and Unionville-Chadds Ford School District also remained closed Wednesday as police continued to search the area for Cavalcante.
Pennsylvania law enforcement officials are in regular contact with school leaders as the search continues.
Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com, or by calling or texting 302-598-5507.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Convicted killer escaped Chester County prison like inmate did in May
