Fugitive Murderer Forces New Strategy As He Eludes Cops In Eastern PA

LATEST UPDATE, Tuesday 8:30 a.m.: Fugitive Murderer Armed With Rifle, Some Eastern PA Schools Close

CHESTER COUNTY, PA —Murderer Danelo Cavalcante has managed to elude police for 12 days since breaking out of prison and has forced a new strategy, authorities said Monday.

State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens noted there is a change in strategy as police are no longer setting up a perimeter as they had over the first 12 days of the investigation. Cavalcante broke the perimeter multiple times.

Police set up perimeters when they believed Cavalcante was in and around Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square. Authorities believe Cavalcante took advantage of the complexity of the area around Longwood Gardens to escape the perimeter on Saturday night.

"It was a very difficult area to secure," Bivens said. "Longwood Garden posed some very unique challenges. I knew there were weaknesses in that perimeter."

The investigation has turned into a hunt for a fugitive spearheaded by the U.S. Marshall's Service, based in Philadelphia.

"We are planning for a long investigation," said Rob Clark, of the U.S. Marshals. "We expect to catch him as soon as possible, but we are planning for a long investigation."

Over the weekend, Cavalcante stole a van, which had the keys left inside, from a dairy and drove to the Phoenixville area. There he contacted two friends seeking help. The friends contacted police, who realized early Sunday morning that Cavalcante had broken out of the perimeter around Longwood.

Sunday morning, state police found the stolen van abandoned and out of gas in East Nantmeal Township, which is northwest of Phoenixville and not far from the Pennsylvania Turnpike interchange at Morgantown, Berks County.

Cavalcante contacted two acquaintances in East Pikeland Township and Phoenixville Sunday night but was turned away, Bivens said.

"They were not people who he had been in contact with," Bivens said. "He does not have the resources to get out of Pennsylvania."

Bivens said the search for Cavalcante is focused Monday on East Nantmeal Township in northern Chester County. Police asked residents to lock their doors.

Owen J. Roberts School District is closed today. Residents are asked to avoid traveling on roadways in the area.

Bivens said that anyone who helps Cavalcante escape will be prosecuted.

State police said they believe they have an advantage now and will be able to capture him.

The prison escape

Cavalcante broke out of Chester County Prison on Aug. 31. He escaped by using his hands and feet to brace himself horizontally and scale the walls, climbing to the roof, and leaving the prison grounds. An officer who was on duty at the prison tower has been fired, and plans are in the works for security upgrades.

Cavalcante, a Brazilian national, was sentenced last month to life in prison for fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend, Deborah Brandao, 33, in Schuylkill Township in 2021.

Cavalcante was convicted of first-degree murder in the April 18, 2021 stabbing of Brandao in front of her children, ages 4 and 7, outside her home in the 300 block of Pawlings Road, Schuylkill Township.

During his trial, witnesses testified that Cavalcante stabbed the victim 38 times after learning that she was planning on telling authorities where Cavalcante was located. Cavalcante was wanted by police in Brazil for a 2017 killing.

Bivens asked residents to contact the police immediately if they believe they have seen Cavalcante.

The reward for Cavalcante’s capture increased from $20,000 to $25,000. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact state police at 717-562-2987.

The family of Brandao has organized The Victims of Cavalcante GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the victim's two children. Donations can be made here.