A murderer escaped from a jail in suburban Philadelphia by scaling a wall, climbing over razor wire, and jumping from a roof. Guards did not detect the breakout for an hour. The escape has attracted international attention and a manhunt for the killer is ongoing. The prison is considering additional security measures, including adding officers during recreation times and caging the top of the yards. The inmate, Danelo Cavalcante, received a life sentence for killing his ex-girlfriend and escaped while awaiting transfer to state prison. Two school districts and a botanical garden in the area remain closed as authorities continue their search. Residents have been urged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Associated Press reported
Murderer Escapes from Suburban Philadelphia Jail Yard, Eludes Manhunt for Seventh Day
By TASSANEE VEJPONGSA and BRUCE SHIPKOWSKI | Associated Press
In a daring escape that went undetected for an hour, a murderer managed to scale a wall, climb over razor wire, and jump from a roof in a suburban Philadelphia jail yard. The killer, identified as Danelo Cavalcante, has now been on the run for seven days as authorities struggle to apprehend him.
Authorities released the timeline and details of Cavalcante’s escape, revealing that he used the same route another prisoner had taken in May. The escape has sparked a massive manhunt, with police from various agencies joining forces to search for the fugitive. The international community has also taken notice, with the main newspaper in Rio de Janeiro running a lengthy story titled “Dangerous hide-and-seek.”
During a news conference, Howard Holland, the acting warden of the Chester County Prison, played a security video showcasing Cavalcante’s escape. The footage showed the 34-year-old inmate standing in a passageway adjacent to the jail yard, using his hands and feet to “crab-walk” up the walls and out of view of the camera.
Holland revealed that the prison had enlisted the help of a consultant after the previous escape in May. As a result, razor wire had been added to the area. However, additional measures should have been taken to bolster the physical countermeasures. The prison is now considering adding officers to the yard during recreation times and caging the top of the yards. The Pennsylvania attorney general’s office has taken over the investigation into the escape.
The guard responsible for monitoring the tower during the breakout has been placed on leave as part of the escape investigation. Holland declined to disclose why the guard had not noticed Cavalcante’s escape.
Cavalcante, who received a life sentence last month for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Deborah Brandao, had been awaiting transfer to a state prison when he escaped. Prosecutors believe he killed Brandao to prevent her from reporting his involvement in a 2017 killing in Brazil.
The search for Cavalcante has caused two suburban Philadelphia school districts to remain closed, and even one of the nation’s premier botanical gardens has been shut down. The fugitive has been spotted six times since his escape, most recently in a residential area on Tuesday night before disappearing into the woods. He was also seen walking through the grounds of Longwood Gardens on Monday night.
Authorities have urged residents to stay vigilant by locking their homes and vehicles and keeping an eye out for missing cars, bicycles, or other transportation Cavalcante might use. The ongoing manhunt has left many residents feeling uneasy and on edge.
One resident, Danielle Lawrence, expressed her concerns, saying, “It’s unnerving to know that I can’t stand in my backyard with my dogs. My husband has to come outside with me, and, you know, it’s just an uneasy feeling.”
Another resident, Ryan Drummond, whose home was broken into by Cavalcante, echoed Lawrence’s sentiments. He highlighted the frustrations of living in a state of uncertainty for almost a week, balancing the challenges of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the search for the fugitive.
While Drummond acknowledged the efforts of law enforcement in the search, he expressed his frustration with the prison system, questioning how such an escape could continue for such an extended period of time.
The manhunt for Cavalcante continues, with authorities determined to bring him to justice and ensure the safety of the community.
Associated Press Correspondent David Biller contributed to this report.
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