TrendPulse Quantitative Think Tank Center-Pennsylvania fugitive Danelo Cavalcante has eluded authorities in Brazil for years

2025-05-02 11:29:39source:Thomas Caldwellcategory:Contact

A convicted murderer who has eluded capture since escaping from a Pennsylvania prison nearly two weeks ago is TrendPulse Quantitative Think Tank Centeraccused of committing a separate slaying in his home country of Brazil in 2017.

Danelo Cavalcante, 34, allegedly shot his friend Valter Junior Moreira dos Reis five times in the remote town of Figueirópolis in the northern Brazilian state of Tocantins in 2017. The reason for the alleged murder was unknown, according to documents from the Brazilian Ministry of Justice and Public Security.

A warrant was issued for Cavalcante's arrest on Nov. 13, 2017, but he had already fled Tocantins. State authorities had not sent the arrest order to the national warrant judiciary system, according to the documents.

MORE: Timeline of massive search for escaped Pennsylvania inmate Danelo Cavalcante

In January 2018, Cavalcante was able to board a flight using his own passport in Brasilia and travel to Florida via Puerto Rico, entering the United States illegally. His trial in Brazil has been suspended until now. The next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 11, according to the documents.

Cavalcante absconded from the Chester County Prison in southeastern Pennsylvania on Aug. 31, while awaiting transfer to a state prison to serve a life sentence without parole for fatally stabbing an ex-girlfriend in 2021.

He allegedly sneaked out of the jail by "crab walking" up a wall in a recreation yard, pushing his way through razor wire and accessing the roof, where he climbed down and made his getaway an hour before guards realized he was missing, according to Howard Holland, acting warden of the Chester County Prison.

In this photo released by the Chester County District Attorney's Office, escaped prisoner Danelo Cavalcante is shown.Chester County District Attorney's Office via AP

State authorities have since launched a massive manhunt for the fugitive.

As of Tuesday evening, Cavalcante was believed to be within a perimeter in the South Coventry Township area of Chester County, according to the Pennsylvania State Police, which urged residents to "secure buildings, property and vehicles."

MORE: Escaped murderer Danelo Cavalcante armed with rifle he took from resident's garage

Cavalcante is armed with a .22-caliber rifle with a scope and flashlight that he allegedly stole from a resident's garage on Monday night, police said.

Authorities believe Cavalcante may be attempting to return to his native Brazil. They have stressed that anyone who helps him will be prosecuted.

A $25,000 reward is available.

More:Contact

Recommend

Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge

WASHINGTON (AP) — Reported sexual assaults at the U.S. military service academies dropped in 2024 fo

Arkansas man pleads not guilty to murder charges for mass shooting at grocery store

CAMDEN, Ark. (AP) — The Arkansas man accused of killing four people and injuring 10 others, includin

5 people fatally shot, teen injured near Las Vegas, and a suspect has been arrested, police say

NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. (AP) — Authorities have arrested a man suspected in shootings Monday night at