Title: Escaped Murderer’s Sightings Prompt High Alert and School Closures
Danelo Cavalcante, a convicted murderer who escaped from Chester County Prison, has been spotted outside of the initial search area in Pennsylvania, leading to the closure of two nearby school districts and putting the community on high alert. Despite extensive efforts by law enforcement, Cavalcante’s whereabouts remain unknown, sparking concerns among residents.
Initially, authorities believed Cavalcante to be within a 2-mile radius of the prison where he escaped from on Thursday morning. However, a significant development occurred when a security camera recorded him at Longwood Gardens on Monday evening. This prompted the police to widen the search perimeter, focusing their efforts south of the previously established radius.
Cavalcante’s appearance remains unchanged, as seen in the footage from Longwood Gardens, where he was spotted carrying a backpack, a duffel-sling pack, and wearing a hooded sweatshirt. In light of this sighting, the popular tourist spot was closed on Tuesday, enabling a comprehensive search of the premises and the surrounding area.
Convicted of first-degree murder for killing his former girlfriend in 2021, Cavalcante’s escape has raised serious concerns about public safety. Authorities have received five credible sightings of his presence within the previous search area, leading them to believe he has moved further south and may pose an increased threat.
As a precautionary measure, police issued a Reverse 911 call to residents residing within a 3-mile radius of Cavalcante’s last known location, urging them to secure their homes and vehicles. Despite the new search area being more open and less wooded, law enforcement authorities have warned that there are still ample hiding places for the fugitive.
The search efforts currently involve approximately 200 to 250 people at any given time, including law enforcement officers from multiple agencies such as the US Marshals, SWAT, FBI, and US Customs Border Patrol. These dedicated teams have been tirelessly combing through the area in an attempt to locate and apprehend Cavalcante.
Disturbing accounts from the community have emerged, with multiple sightings reported. One homeowner believes they witnessed Cavalcante inside their residence before he casually walked out, absconding with some food. Such incidents have only heightened public anxiety, encouraging residents to take extra precautions and prompting law enforcement to intensify their presence in the neighborhood.
The impacts of this manhunt have also disrupted the local education system, with the Kennett Consolidated School District and Unionville-Chadds Ford School District taking the decision to close their doors. This response underscores the seriousness of the evolving situation and the shared commitment to ensuring the safety of students and staff.
With the search efforts ongoing, local residents remain on edge, hoping for a swift resolution to this frightening scenario. Law enforcement officers continue to exhaust all resources in their pursuit of Cavalcante, determined to bring him back into custody and restore a sense of security to the community.
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