Police with long guns were seen swarming near where an escaped murderer has been spotted during his nine days on the run as an annual festival in the area prepares to get underway.

Officials told Fox News they believe they are “closing in” on Cavalcante with a solid perimeter set in the area of Longwood Gardens, a popular botanical garden in Kennett Square where the fugitive has been spotted several times.

The garden has been closed indefinitely after the escapee was seen there earlier this week.

Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said that he is hopeful the saga could end soon.

Officials said there would be extra security for the Mushroom Festival in Kennett Square, where 34-year-old Danelo Cavalcante has been seen several times since his escape last week. The festival grounds are just outside the search area, but festival coordinator Gale Ferranto told WPVI they “have a great security system group this year.”

Cavalcante escaped the Chester County Prison while awaiting transfer to a state prison after he was sentenced to life for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, as CrimeOnline previously reported. He was also wanted in his native Brazil for an unrelated murder at the time.

Prison officials released video this week showing part of Cavalcante’s daring escape, and on Friday they said they had fired the 18-year veteran guard who was on duty in a observation tower at the time. The guard has not been named.

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[Featured image: WPVI screenshot; Danelo Cavalcante/Chester County District Attorney’s Office]