Updated: Sept. 2, 6 p.m.
CHESTER COUNTY, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Authorities in Chester County say they're narrowing in on an “extremely dangerous” convicted murderer who escaped from prison on Thursday and was spotted in the area Saturday morning.
According to the Chester County District Attorney's Office, 34-year-old Danelo Cavalcante was seen around 12:30 a.m. Saturday in Pocopson Township via a home surveillance camera. He was seen on the 1800 block of Lenape Road, less than two miles from Chester County Prison in West Chester, which he escaped Thursday morning.
Police also received a report of an attempted burglary roughly an hour before the sighting, on the 1000 block of Ballintree Lane in Pocopson Township.
Cavalcante is described as 5 feet tall and 120 pounds, with long, black curly hair and was spotted wearing long pants, a light-colored t-shirt, and white sneakers. He was also carrying a backpack.
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A search of the surrounding area is currently being conducted by hundreds of local, state and federal law enforcement officers. U.S. Marshals say they have more than 100 investigators searching a wooded residential area with nearly 300 homes.
“Law enforcement is requesting that residents in the area remain indoors at this time," said Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan. "Lock your vehicles. Review your surveillance cameras and contact police if you observe anything suspicious."
Cavalcante was sentenced to life in prison without parole last week and was awaiting transfer from a county cell to state prison.
He was convicted in the 2021 murder of his former girlfriend, Deborah Brandao. Prosecutors said Cavalcante stabbed Brandao 38 times in front of her children, then just 4 and 7 years old, outside Brandao’s home in Schuylkill Township.
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There was a history of domestic violence between the pair, and Brandao had threatened to turn Cavalcante into police over a 2017 murder he was wanted for in Brazil.
Before his conviction, Cavalcante lived in Royersford and frequented the Phoenixville area.
“He has family in the Phoenixville area who we’ve been in touch with,” said Ryan, “and we’re expecting if he does communicate with them, that they will let us know as soon as possible.”
Ryan said officials have also spoken with Brandao’s family.
West Chester University requires active school ID to enter all buildings, after cancelling classes on Friday in response to the search. Students who live on campus will receive additional guidance.
Officials are advising area residents to stay vigilant as he remains on the loose. They ask people to help them by reviewing their own home security footage for sightings and remaining inside behind locked doors. They also remind people to make sure their cars are locked and to check on their neighbors.
"If you hear someone trying to break into your house or your garage door opening, or maybe your light goes on in your shed, don't be afraid to call us. We have a large amount of officers ready to respond," said Robert Clark, with the U.S. Marshals Service.
“I don’t know what he is capable of doing," Ryan said. "If he’s already engaged in a murder in broad daylight in front of her two children, there’s nothing stopping him from doing anything any more egregious."
Rick Brower started calling people to make sure they heard they news.
“They were concerned, because they all live in Kennett," he said, "and one of them is my niece and everything. Just keep your eyes open, you know?”
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Authorities have not yet disclosed how he escaped, while prison officials conduct an official investigation.
KYW Newsradio has learned the prison's former warden, Ronald Phillips, announced his retirement the day before Cavalcante escaped. Chester County spokesperson Rebecca Brain says Phillips was placed on administrative leave in July and that the escape had nothing to do with the transition — adding “at no time was there a lapse in command” at the facility.
Authorities stress that anyone found to be helping Cavalcante evade police will face prosecution.
U.S. Marshals and Chester County are offering a combined $10,000 reward for information leading to Cavalcante’s arrest. Authorities ask anyone who may have seen him to call 911 immediately or the U.S. Marshal tipline at 1-877-926-8332.
KYW Newsradio's Antionette Lee contributed to this story.