News/Commentary

Illegal alien prison escapee gains an upper hand after violent home invasion, now he’s armed

September 12, 2023 | | Print Article

Convicted murderer and illegal alien Danelo Cavalcante is still on the run in Pennsylvania after escaping prison, altering his appearance, and now he’s armed following a violent home invasion.

(Video Credit: Fox News)

Cavalcante, 34, has been on the run for two weeks. Tuesday, police urged residents in the area where he has been spotted to not approach the convict because he is considered armed and dangerous.

A school district in the area has been closed while the murderer is on the lam.

According to Fox News, Superintendent of the Owen J. Roberts School District in Pottstown announced, “As a result of increased police activity in our community related to the pursuit of an escaped inmate from Chester County Prison, and after consultation with state and local law enforcement, we have made the decision to close all schools and offices in our district today.”

“The safety and security of our students and staff remains our top priority. We know that this situation is stressful and upsetting for our entire community,” Superintendent Will Stout stated. “We thank you once again for your patience, support, and understanding throughout the past several days. Please be assured that we are in regular contact with the Pennsylvania State Police, Chester County Emergency Services, and local law enforcement.”

(Video Credit: CBS Mornings)

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The Pennsylvania State Police claimed on social media that Cavalcante, 34, has a .22 caliber rifle. They are advising that residents in the area should “lock all doors and windows, secure vehicles, and remain indoors.”

Officers were actively pursuing Cavalcante in the area of Ridge Road, Coventryville Road, and Daisy Point Road in South Coventry Townpoint in Chester County early on Tuesday.

That bit of news came hours after dozens of police cars responded to a break-in and shots fired in East Nantmeal. That’s the area where Cavalcante was thought to be hiding. It is unclear whether Cavalcante was wounded during the violent break-in.

“A source from the state police told Fox News late Monday night that a homeowner shot at Cavalcante as he was attempting to steal a rifle. FOX 29 Philadelphia reported later that the homeowner fired seven times at the escaped killer, who successfully stole a .22 caliber firearm,” Fox News reported.

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Hundreds of law enforcement officers have swarmed the area where Cavalcante is believed to be. The search for the convict has been ongoing since August 31 in the area near Chester County Prison. He was imprisoned for the first-degree murder conviction in the death of an ex-girlfriend in 2021. The illegal alien was sentenced to life in prison for the murder. He’s also wanted for murder in his home country of Brazil.

“Brazilian prosecutors in Tocantins state say Cavalcante is accused of ‘double qualified homicide’ in the 2017 killing of Válter Júnior Moreira dos Reis in Figueirópolis over a debt the victim owed him in connection with the repair of a vehicle,” Fox News noted.

Police believe the killer is desperate because he is taking risks such as contacting former co-workers.

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“I believe that his actions show that he’s desperate,” Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens remarked on Monday. “I believe there was an opportunity to escape. I don’t think there was a lot of planning that went into that. Now he finds himself on the run.”

“The fact that he has reached out to people with a very distant past connection tells me he doesn’t have a great network of support,” he claimed.

On Sunday, Bivens noted that Cavalcante slipped through a tightly guarded police perimeter around the Longwood Gardens botanical park. He then changed his appearance by shaving and cutting his hair and proceeded to steal a van from a dairy farm. He drove over 20 miles to East Pikeland Township and Phoenixville, where he asked for help from two former co-workers.

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He was caught on a doorbell video wearing a yellow or green hoodie, a black baseball cap, green prison pants, and white shoes. He was also clean-shaven, according to police.

“The most recent description of Cavalcante was that he’s shirtless and wearing blue pants, carrying the rifle. Police have said he stands 5 feet tall and weighs 120 pounds,” according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The prison guard who was on duty when Cavalcante escaped has now been fired.

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