PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — As the search for convicted murderer Danelo Cavalcante, who escaped from Chester County Prison on Aug. 31, reaches its 10th day, authorities have focused on the Kennett Square area, where two more sightings were confirmed on Friday.
Neighbors in Kennett Square experienced a variety of moods on Saturday morning, though there was generally concern knowing a convicted murderer was on the loose in their area.
Resident Ann Smithyman noticed a significant police presence in Kennett Square, especially around Longwood Gardens. Cavalcante had been spotted this week on a trail camera near the gardens. In addition, police confirmed Cavalcante had been seen twice within the gardens on Friday.
“Police are really surrounding the area where they think he is,” Smithyman observed, expressing her frustration. “We just don't understand how he's staying away from being found.”
Related
But State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens says he’s confident Cavalcante will be caught sooner or later. “We have been taking a very methodical approach to this whole search,” he said, “and I think one of these tactics that we're using will ultimately be successful.”
Bivens says those include aviation support, K9 units and tactical teams combing the area. John Brooks of Garnet Valley says he also noticed drones flying overhead. Still, he says he’s amazed it’s taking this long to pinpoint the escapee.
“Honestly, I don't know how he's not tired out by now,” said Brooks. “I mean, the guy's got to be dehydrated. The only water source is the Brandywine River and I'm surprised he's not sick by now.”
And despite reassurances from police, Stacy Crosley of Atglen says she’s worried. After all, Cavalcante was sentenced to life in prison for the 2021 stabbing murder of ex-girlfriend Deborah Brandao, in front of her children.
“It's scary because I have two kids, and I have a little one and I don't think he'll go after any kids but I don't know. He's crazy,” she said.
Authorities say he illegally entered the U.S. in 2017 after committing a murder in his native Brazil.
Related
Days after his Aug. 23 sentencing, Cavalcante escaped the prison by crab-walking up a wall in the exercise yard to the roof, then climbing through layers of razor wire to get out. His escape route was similar to an earlier attempted escape from the same facility in May, though in Cavalcante’s case, the tower guard on duty failed to spot him. Prison officials say that guard has since been fired.
Officials in Kennett Square, meanwhile, say the town’s annual mushroom festival will go on as scheduled this weekend despite the ongoing search, assuring visitors that “all necessary precautions and protocols” were in place. They say they felt it was important to go ahead with the festival because “bringing our community together is essential, especially during these challenging times.”
The Associated Press contributed to this story.