Escaped prisoner Danelo Cavalcante, who has been on the run for nearly two weeks, obtained a weapon, authorities warned Tuesday morning, urging nearby residents to stay inside and lock their doors, and causing the closure of at least one school district.
Just before 2 a.m. on Tuesday, the Pennsylvania State Police said they were "pursuing" Cavalcante, 34, in South Coventry Township, a rural area in northern Chester County, according to a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. The township is roughly 20 miles north of the prison Cavalcante escaped on Aug. 31. and the area where police had previously focused their search.
"Residents in the area are asked to lock all doors and windows, secure vehicles, and remain indoors," the early morning post said. "Do not approach Call 911 if seen."
As of 7 a.m., there's been no update on the pursuit. It's unclear what weapon authorities believe to be in Cavalcante's possession, and how he got the weapon.
Citing the threat posed by the fugitive, and the heavy police presence in the area, the Owen J. Roberts School District canceled classes for Tuesday.
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," read a statement to parents from Superintendent Will Stout. "We know that this situation is stressful and upsetting for our entire community. We thank you once again for your patience, support and understanding throughout the past several days."
At the time of his escape, Cavalcante was waiting to be transferred to a state prison. Just days earlier, the fugitive was sentenced to life in prison without parole for fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend, Deborah Brandao, in front of her two children in 2021.
Cavalcante, a Brazilian national and former agricultural worker, is also wanted in connection to a 2017 murder of a 20-year-old man over a car repair debt in his native country.
Security footage showed Cavalcante breaking free from Chester County Prison by "crab-walking" up a wall before he reportedly pushed through razor wire and ran across a roof. Though Cavalcante has been spotted several times in southeastern portions of Pennsylvania, hundreds of law enforcement officers using helicopters, drones and dogs have so far been unable to capture him.
On Saturday night, about an hour after Cavalcante was suspected of stealing a 2020 Ford Transit van from outside the police perimeter, he went to the home of a former co-worker and was seen on a doorbell security camera, Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said in a Sunday news conference.