Fugitive Murderer Nabbed After Two-Week Pennsylvania Manhunt
Danelo Cavalcante, 34, on the run for two tense weeks across rural Pennsylvania, has finally been caught. The convicted murderer survived on watermelon and planned to flee to Canada or Puerto Rico, say US authorities.
Elusive Escape Artist Outsmarts Police—Until Now
Cavalcante, who killed his girlfriend in front of her kids, had just started his prison sentence before making a daring escape on August 31st. Hundreds of heavily armed officers, drones, helicopters, and roadblocks failed to track him down. He moved only at night, hid in thick bushes, and even buried his waste to avoid detection.
Heat-Detecting Aircraft and Police Dog Bring Him Down
It was a heat-sensing aircraft that finally spotted Cavalcante. A Belgian Malinois police dog named Yoda clamped down on his head, causing heavy bleeding and subduing the fugitive.
US Marshal Robert Clark said: “His end game was to carjack somebody… and head north either towards Canada or he intended to get to Puerto Rico. That was his plan in the next 24 hours so there wasn’t a better time for us to locate and apprehend him.”
Captured After Stealing Rifle, Disguising Himself
During his flight, Cavalcante stole a scoped rifle and a backpack with a razor, which he used to change his appearance. Despite coming close to police multiple times, he slipped away again by constantly shifting locations.
He also hijacked then abandoned a truck and appeared on security cameras several times. Photos show him in a Philadelphia Eagles sweatshirt, flanked by camo-clad officers.
After his capture, Cavalcante was moved to a maximum-security prison in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, where he faces new charges over his brazen escape.
