Danelo Cavalcante: Pennsylvania prison guard on duty when convicted killer broke out fired as cops intensify manhunt for fugitive
CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA: As the manhunt for escaped convict Danelo Cavalcante intensifies, the prison guard on duty when he broke out of Chester County Prison, Pennsylvania, has been fired.
The unnamed corrections officer, who had worked at the prison for 20 years, reportedly violated prison regulations by carrying his personal cell phone during the Cavalcante's escape, sources told The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Who is Danelo Cavalcante?
Cavalcante, 34, broke out of Chester County Prison, located in a rural area approximately 30 miles west of Philadelphia, on August 31.
Despite a massive search operation, he has remained elusive and on the run. He was reportedly spotted in the local area at least eight times over the past nine days.
Authorities are now investigating if Cavalcante was connected to a burglary reported five miles away from the prison.
The suspect was described as a shirtless male wearing dirty brown pants, last seen running west off Route 1.
Lt. Col George Bivens said, "He's going to make a mistake sooner or later and we're gonna be there to catch him."
NEW DEVELOPMENT: Around 6:25 am we received reports via police scanner of a burglary at 537 School House Road in Kennett Square. Male suspect, wearing dirty brown pants and no shirt. Scanner reports say he ran west off of Route 1. Police searching wood line area. @phl17 pic.twitter.com/ShvEVaxteT
— Alyssa Cristelli (@AlyssaPHL17) September 8, 2023
With the manhunt intensifying, residents in the area have been urged to lock their doors and exercise caution, as Cavalcante is considered extremely dangerous.
Schools in the vicinity, including the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District and the Kennett Consolidated School District, have canceled classes.
Authorities have increased the reward for information leading to his capture to $20,000.
How did Danelo Cavalcante escape?
Cavalcante, who was serving a life sentence for the murder of his former girlfriend Debora Brandao, escaped by crab-walking up the walls of an exercise area, security footage showed.
Law enforcement personnel were facing challenges in capturing him due to extreme heat, high humidity and difficult landscapes. A search dog involved in the operation required medical treatment due to the 90-degree heat.
(Facebook/Deborah Evangelista Brandao)
Despite the challenging conditions, Cavalcante has been sighted multiple times since he broke out.
Surveillance footage captured him wearing a white T-shirt and white sneakers with a backpack he had mysteriously obtained. He also reportedly entered a resident's home, stole some food and left.
Authorities are broadcasting recordings of Cavalcante's mother speaking in Portuguese from helicopters in an attempt to get him to peacefully surrender.
They have expressed concerns that he may attempt to flee to Brazil, his native country, as he is also wanted for a 2017 homicide case there.