Authorities searching northwestern Chester County for escaped killer Danelo Cavalcante
The pressure has mounted for authorities to find escaped Pennsylvania killer Danelo Cavalcante after he stole a van from a dairy farm near Longwood Gardens, slipped through the search perimeter, drove to Phoenixville then abandoned the van in a field in East Nantmeal Township.
Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said the van was found in a field around 10:40 a.m. Sunday behind a barn in the northwestern Chester County township, likely abandoned after running out of fuel, and authorities have been combing the area ever since.
“Investigators have been searching the area around that location since that time,” Bivens said of the search in East Nantmeal Township. “We are obviously very concerned Cavalcante has, or will attempt, to steal another vehicle to facilitate his escape.”
Police announced earlier Sunday that Cavalcante had changed his appearance and was driving a van.
This is the second time Cavalcante slipped through the perimeter police established in southern Chester County.
Cavalcante escaped Chester County Prison on Aug. 31 by “spider” walking up a narrow corridor wall in the prison’s exercise yard, prompting an over-weeklong search in the heavily wooded residential area near Longwood Gardens. The manhunt is in its 11th day.
The 34-year-old man from Brazil was convicted of killing 33-year-old Deborah Brandao and was slated to be transported to a maximum security state facility when he escaped.
Where are police searching?
Authorities have not established a new search perimeter. However, a large police presence remains in East Nantmeal Township, which is situated between the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Route 23 to the west of Route 100.
A large portion of the township encompasses Route 401, where multiple marked and unmarked vehicles were stationed in driveways and side streets Sunday.
Bivens said they found the abandoned van “fairly quickly” and expressed confidence that authorities would eventually capture Cavalcante. He said they have yet to receive any reports of a stolen vehicle in East Nantmeal.
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What should area residents do?
As tempting as it may be to assist in the search for Cavalcante, Bivens stressed that vigilantes have hindered the search, not helped.
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“They are not helping us at all, and in fact, they become a hindrance,” Bivens said. “Some of our resources have to be diverted at times when they insert themselves into a scene. It’s not helpful. I wish they wouldn’t do it.”
Residents should remain vigilant, locking doors to homes, outbuildings and cars, he said.
The van that Cavalcante stole was unlocked with the keys in the vehicle, police said.
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Police urge people to call 717-562-2987 with any tips or potential sightings.
What help is Cavalcante receiving?
Police wouldn’t say whether Cavalcante received help from family or acquaintances in the area, but confirmed that his sister was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation.
Cavalcante is an undocumented immigrant from Brazil who, prosecutors have said, fatally stabbed his ex-girlfriend Brandao in front of her children in 2021 to stop her from telling police about charges against him in Brazil in connection with a 2017 slaying. He was captured in Virginia after Brandao’s killing.
He escaped a week after being sentenced to life without parole for fatally stabbing Brandao.
It’s unclear whether his sister’s arrest was in relation to the manhunt.
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“He is absolutely looking for support; he needs that support,” Bivens said.
Cavalcante has visited the homes of former co-workers, he said.
Police believe Cavalcante remains in Pennsylvania as of Sunday afternoon. Authorities would not say where they think Cavalcante may be heading next but emphasized he is dangerous.
Bivens warned that anyone found assisting Cavalcante in his escape would be “prosecuted vigorously.”
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Escaped killer slips search perimeter; now in northwestern Chester Co.
