Updated: Sept. 6, 8:20 a.m.
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Authorities say a recently convicted murderer who escaped from a Chester County prison last week has been spotted at least five times in an area not far from the prison. Now entering its seventh day, the manhunt has extended to the property of nearby Longwood Gardens.
The search for 34-year-old Danilo Cavalcante had focused on a 2-mile area of Pocopson Township after several confirmed sightings, but State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said Cavalcante was able to slip through the southern perimeter of that boundary and was spotted on a trail camera at Longwood Gardens.
He was seen on cameras there around 9:30 p.m. Monday — the fifth confirmed sighting in recent days, police said. He was seen walking north around 8:30 p.m., then back south at 9:30 p.m.
That boundary spans the intersection of Routes 926 and 52, heads north on Route 52 to Parkersville Road, southeast to Route 926, and back west to the Routes 926 and 52 intersection. Police have now expanded that perimeter to also include the area south of Route 1, near Longwood Gardens.
“What we believe happened is he walked into that area [Longwood Gardens], was likely not well oriented, headed north, probably ran into the perimeter, realized he couldn’t go that way and turned the opposite direction, and came back through the camera a second time,” said Bivens.
Longwood Gardens has been closed to the public for several days as a precaution.
The Chester County District Attorney’s Office said Cavalcante’s appearance has not changed much since he fled — a white T-shirt, curly black hair, and a closely cropped beard and mustache. Authorities describe him as 5 feet tall and 120 pounds. In the latest images, he is seen with a hooded sweatshirt and a duffle-type backpack.
Cavalcante escaped Chester County Prison on Aug. 31 while awaiting transfer to state prison. Authorities haven't disclosed the circumstances of his escape, saying the incident is under investigation. They did say that Cavalcante appears to be on his own and did not have any help escaping.
Prosecutors say Cavalcante is an extremely dangerous person. He was sentenced to life in prison in August for murdering his ex-girlfriend, Deborah Brandao, in front of her children in 2021. He is also wanted in his native Brazil for a separate killing in 2017.
Local police received two reports of attempted home burglaries last week, though it wasn't immediately clear if Cavalcante was involved. An investigation is still underway.
State police take the lead
Bivens said Pennsylvania State Police have taken the lead in the search. They urge residents in the Pocopson Township area to be vigilant, because Cavalcante is dangerous and they do not want him to escape the area.
“We’re asking people to just be mindful that he is dangerous and anything is possible,” Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said. “We don’t want the public to be alarmed, but we want them to be on the lookout and aware of their surroundings. Look in your basement. Look around your areas. Check your cars. Make sure that things are locked.
“Police officers are doing canvassing now, and they’re finding people with their doors unlocked and keys just sitting on a table for anyone to obtain. So please be vigilant and be careful. Just make sure you’re being smart and safe.”
Reverse 911 calls were made to residents Tuesday morning within 3 miles of the lastest sighting. Authorities ask residents to help them by reviewing their own home security footage for any sightings of the man and staying inside with doors locked.
Robert Clark with the U.S. Marshals Service said they have more than 100 investigators searching a wooded residential area with nearly 300 homes. The effort includes drones, helicopters and dogs.
“We have a very large contingency of state police out there that are ready to respond immediately,” he said. “So if you hear someone trying to break into your house or your garage door opening — or maybe your light goes on in your shed you think suspicious — don’t be afraid to call us.”
Cavalcante’s mother recorded a message in his native Portuguese, asking him to surrender peacefully. Residents may hear it being broadcast in the area by police helicopters and cars.
The search area is presenting some challenges too, Bivens noted. “You’ve got people with large yards, parcels of land, multiple acres with outbuildings, and shrubbery, landscaping — all kinds of things, [like] sheds, that afford an opportunity to hide.”
Bivens, however, said he does not want people in the area of the search to feel like prisoners in their own homes.
“We asked them to please secure homes, outbuildings and vehicles,” he stressed. “Cavalcante has clearly already obtained some clothing and unknown other supplies, and we want to minimize any opportunity to obtain anything more.”
Disruptions to area schools
The search is also affecting local schools, such as West Chester University, which canceled classes last week.
There is an increased presence of West Chester University Police actively monitoring the campus, according to a statement from the university, and access to all buildings is restricted to the main entries and requires a WCU ID. Classes will be in session on Tuesday.
After consultation with various authorities, the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District and the Kennett Consolidated School District canceled classes Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Correction: A previous version of this article spelled Cavalcante's first name based on official law enforcement and court documents, which have been different from what's on customs documents.