A convicted murder who escaped a Pennsylvania prison earlier this week was spotted on a home security camera early Saturday, prompting a massive law enforcement response in a community about 25 miles west of Philadelphia, WPVI-TV reports.
Danelo Cavalcante, 34, was seen in the footage around 12:30 a.m. near a residence in Pocopson Township, the Chester County District Attorney’s Office said in a press release.
The home is about 1.5 miles from Chester State Prison, where Cavalcante escaped Thursday morning.
A clip from the recording shows Cavalcante wearing pants, a light-colored T-shirt and white shoes, in addition to carrying a backpack, according to Fox 29.
Police also were investigating a reported attempted burglary of a home at about 11:30 p.m. Friday in the area, however it was not clear whether that involved Cavalcante.
At the time he escaped, Cavalcante had a beard, mustache and curly black hair. He is described as about 5-feet tall and 120 pounds.
FUGITIVE UPDATE – ACTIVE MANHUNT STILL UNDERWAY
The manhunt of escaped convict Danelo Cavalcante is still active. Attached is video footage from a residential security camera on the 1800 block of Lenape Road at 1:43 a.m. The fugitive has not changed his appearance. pic.twitter.com/Gh9jEBh9xX
— Chester County District Attorney's Office (@chescoda) September 2, 2023
Cavalcante was sentenced in August for murdering his former girlfriend in front of her kids in 2021. Officials in Brazil, where he is from, are also seeking him in connection with an unrelated death in 2017.
Authorities have deployed helicopters, drones and search dogs in efforts to find Cavalcante. Hundreds of officers have been dispatched to the area, including SWAT teams, local and state police and the U.S. Marshals Service, CBS Philadelphia reports.
On Friday, Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said law enforcement suspect the fugitive is attempting to run south and have no evidence that he is being helped by anyone else.
Residents who live in the region are being urged to lock their doors and remain inside while the manhunt continues.
Community members previously were asked to review home security camera footage and to check buildings on their properties for anything unusual and to assess whether anything is missing.
“Law enforcement is requesting that residents in the area remain indoors at this time. Lock your vehicles. Review your surveillance cameras and contact police if you observe anything suspicious. Danelo Cavalcante is considered an extremely dangerous man. Please remain vigilant in assisting with this search. If you see this individual do not approach him. Call 911 immediately,” Ryan said, according to WPVI-TV.
Officials are expected to provide an update at a press conference scheduled for 3 p.m.
A $10,00 reward is being offered for information that results in Cavalcante’s capture.
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[Feature Photo: Danelo Cavalcante/Chester County District Attorney’s Office]
