The message from the Monday, Sept. 11 press conference regarding the search for Danelo Cavalcante didn’t change much from what was said Sunday. Cavalcante remains at large in the E. Nantmeal, E. Pikeland, and Phoenixville area. And that’s where police are focusing their search.
State Police Lt. Col George Bivens, the deputy commissioner for operations, said he believes Cavalcante is still in Pennsylvania because “I don’t think he has the resources to leave.”
There have been no new sightings of the escaped convicted murderer since late Saturday when he slipped through the perimeter around Longwood Gardens, stole a truck and drove to the E. Pikeland area where he was spotted on a doorbell camera of a former co-worker.
Cavalcante has a sister in Chester County, but she’s been arrested on immigration charges and not because of any help she may have given to her brother.
Bivens also announced that Chester County has added another $5,000 to the reward being offered for the capture. The amount is now up to $25,000.
Bivens, and Robert Clark of the U.S. Marshal Service both reminded people in that northern part of the county to be vigilant, secure their homes and outbuildings, and to keep all doors — homes and cars — locked.
Cavalcante was found guilty of a 2021 stabbing murder of his girlfriend and was sentenced to life in prison earlier in August. He was able to escape Chester County Prison in Pocopson Township on Aug. 31 and has eluded recapture since.
The original search area centered around Longwood Gardens after he was seen on a trail camera at Longwood. At one point, the eastern edge of the perimeter extended to N. Creek Road between Routes 1 and 926.
With Cavalcante now outside of the Southern Chester County area, Longwood has reopened, and school districts are back to normal operations.
Bivens still believes that continuing to push and put pressure on Cavalcante will eventually lead to him being recaptured.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
