My family and I had planned to visit Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, today to watch “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3,” but due to the increased presence of law enforcement in our area, we decided to stay home. Chester County has seen a growing law enforcement presence as the manhunt for escaped killer Danelo Cavalcante continues, with police vehicles stationed throughout our township. This search has been ongoing for 11 days now, and as sightings of Cavalcante increase, so does the involvement of local, state, and federal authorities.
Background:
Danelo Cavalcante, a 34-year-old from Brazil, escaped from Chester County Prison on August 31.
Cavalcante had fled Brazil after allegedly shooting and killing a man in November 2017, stealing the victim’s phone, and then making his way to the U.S. via Puerto Rico.
Upon arriving in southeastern Pennsylvania, he began dating Deborah Brandão, also from Brazil. Their relationship turned violent, leading Brandão to file a protection from abuse order against Cavalcante in December 2020.
On April 8, 2021, Cavalcante brutally stabbed Brandão 38 times in front of her young children, allegedly because she had discovered his arrest warrant in Brazil and threatened to reveal it.
After the murder, Cavalcante confessed to his mother and sister, who helped him clean up, change clothes, and refuel his car. Despite their efforts, he was arrested shortly after the stabbing.
Cavalcante’s trial lasted three days, and a jury took just 15 minutes to convict him of first-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison in August 2023.
However, on August 31, 2023, just days after his sentencing, Cavalcante managed to escape from Chester County Prison by climbing onto the roof. It was reported that a guard who should have been watching the inmates was not paying attention, and Cavalcante’s escape remained undetected for over an hour.
The Search:
Cavalcante continued to evade law enforcement for the next ten days, now reaching day 11. There were indications that he was cornered at one point in Longwood Gardens, a well-known botanical garden founded by Pierre S. du Pont. He was captured on video at least twice at the gardens, leading to the closure of the tourist attraction and local schools.
However, the case took a new turn on Sunday, September 10, when Cavalcante was spotted by a door camera near Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. By this time, he had altered his appearance, shaving his beard and wearing a black baseball cap, a light-colored hooded sweatshirt, and green prison pants.
Law Enforcement Involvement:
The law enforcement effort to capture Cavalcante is substantial and involves multiple agencies, including the Pennsylvania State Police, FBI, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Marshal Service, Maryland State Police Aviation, and Delaware State Police Aviation.
Costs:
Manhunts of this scale can be expensive, and it remains uncertain who will bear the financial burden of this operation. Inquiries to the state police and the Chester County District Attorney’s office did not yield a clear answer.
Manhunts of this magnitude are rare, but a similar search in 2014 for Eric Frein, who killed two state troopers, cost Pennsylvania approximately $1.3 million per week, totaling $11.7 million for the 48-day operation. Extrapolating these costs to the current search would suggest a cost of about $2.6 million so far.
Federal Involvement:
The FBI is actively assisting in the search for Cavalcante, contributing significant resources and personnel. The FBI’s annual budget exceeds $11 billion, and it has a substantial workforce and field office network throughout the United States.
Rewards:
To aid in Cavalcante’s capture, law enforcement is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. Rewards offered by government agencies in cases like this are typically not subject to IRS reporting requirements.
Taxpayer Concerns:
Chester County residents are understandably anxious since Cavalcante’s escape. Some are concerned about prison security, as another prisoner had escaped from the same prison earlier in the year. A 2022 survey indicated a 25% vacancy rate in approved security staff positions at Chester County Prison.
Moving Forward:
While residents’ immediate concern is Cavalcante’s capture, there will likely be discussions about safety, law enforcement effectiveness, and communication gaps once he is apprehended. Long-term solutions, such as improving prison security and increasing staffing in state agencies, may entail additional costs at a time when government spending is under scrutiny, especially with upcoming 2023 elections in Chester County.