On September 13, 2023, at 8 a.m. Danelo Cavalcante was captured in the woods in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. This brought the end of the two-week search. Cavalcante broke into homes for food and also stole a van and a rifle. A helicopter picked up his heat signal. The search dogs were out to catch him, and while he was still armed, Cavalcante tried to escape into an underbrush. The search dog saw him, and he was taken into custody. One of the dogs latched onto his thigh; the other latched onto his scalp. He had severe wounds.
Cavalcante mugshot
Cavalcante was taken to a state police barracks in an armored vehicle surrounded by a convoy, lights flashing, sirens blaring, and two police helicopters following. Kathleen Brady, a resident near Cavalcante’s gun theft, observed the convoy pass as she and her daughter returned home after staying elsewhere. Brady described the community’s delight as quiet streets, no checkpoints, and a drop in heat, simultaneously highlighting poetic justice and justice. Cavalcante was arraigned at Avondale barracks on an escape charge, and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for September 27. He was led out with shackled hands and feet, wearing a hospital gown, and sent to a state prison outside Philadelphia to continue his life sentence.
Cavalcante’s final battle occurred in southeastern Pennsylvania, surrounded by law enforcement with a large force of dogs, armored carriers, horses, and helicopters. School closures and lockdowns were imposed due to a long search for fugitive Carlos Cavalcante, who escaped from Chester County jail in Pennsylvania. Heavily armed officers searched through rain and thunder, but storms grounded the plane, delaying his capture. Cavalcante ran by crab, walking between razor wire walls and jumping from the roof. Authorities said over the weekend that Cavalcante had slipped out of the initial search area, shaved and changed his clothing, stole a vehicle to travel miles to seek aid from former co-workers in the northern part of the county, and then abandoned the car at least in part because it was low on fuel. Cavalcante, a man suspected of stealing a.22-caliber rifle and ammunition, escaped the first search area in Chester County. Authorities have not commented on how Cavalcante ran and have defended their decision to capture him. Footprints and shoes were found in his shoes, and a pair of work boots were stolen. Cavalcante was shot multiple times by a homeowner in the garage, indicating he was looking for a hiding place.
Cavalcante, a man on the run, was captured by law enforcement near South Coventry Township, 30 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Authorities thwarted attempts to assist him during his run, but no criminal charges have been filed. Gov. Josh Shapiro stated that Cavalcante was desperate, and it was just a matter of time. The deputy U.S. marshal, Clark, has said Cavalcante’s sister was evasive and provided conflicting information during his time on the loose. Authorities detained her and initiated deportation measures. Clark believes Cavalcante’s sister was trying to mislead law enforcement and possibly had resources to aid him. Authorities do not have evidence of Cavalcante’s cell phone or direct conversations with friends and family. Cavalcante’s escape and capture were significant news in Brazil, where he is accused of “double qualified homicide” in the 2017 slaying of Válter Júnior Moreira dos Reis. Pennsylvania authorities have broadcast a recording of Cavalcante’s mother in Portuguese imploring him to surrender peacefully. Cavalcante was convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend, Deborah Brandao, in 2021, and authorities believe he was trying to return to Brazil. He was arrested in Virginia and escaped in a gray Philadelphia Eagles sweatshirt, either found or stolen. The governor promised the owner a new one if the owner had their Eagles hoodie stolen.
Cavalcante, after escaping prison
