Pennsylvania police broadcast message from escaped murderer’s mother encouraging him to surrender
Pennsylvania police broadcast message from escaped murderer’s mother encouraging him to surrender
Updated: 5:59 AM EDT Sep 5, 2023
Good afternoon. My name is Lieutenant Colonel George Bevis, deputy commissioner of operations with the Pennsylvania State Police with me is Major Dambrosio. Over to my right, the area commander for this area of the Pennsylvania State Police. Also, I’m joined by District Attorney Deb Ryan and also Rob Clark from the US Marshal’s office. As you know, on the morning of Thursday, August 31 inmate Danelo Cae escaped from the Chester County prison. The investigation into the escape is ongoing and is being conducted jointly by the Chester County District Attorney’s Office and the Pennsylvania State Police after the escape was detected at approximately 10 o’clock that morning, *** county employee reported seeing an individual matching the description of Caval south of the prison. And near route 52 numerous law enforcement agencies searched that area but could not locate Cae the escape investigation and search was originally coordinated by the Chester County District Attorney’s Office with assistance from the Pennsylvania State Police and numerous other local state and federal agencies with much of the effort now focused in PSP primary coverage area. District Attorney Ryan has requested PSP to take *** leading role in this investigation. We have agreed to do that and of course, continue to work closely with the District Attorney’s office as we move forward, we continue to bring more technology and personnel to bear on this situation. Since the day of the escape. There have been several credible sightings within an area bordered by the intersection of route 9 26 and 52 north on 52 to Parkville road, southeast to 9 26 and west to the intersection of 9 26 and 52 in Pocopson Township in total, there have been four sightings within that boundary. The most recent credible sighting occurred yesterday afternoon. Also within that bordered area, we have secured that area and continue to actively search it while there are *** number of challenges. We are confident that if he is in there, we will find him. We are asking for the public’s help in *** number of ways first familiarize themselves with the photograph and description of Caval. There is every reason to believe he remains in this area. Second, within the secured area. I have described as well as near there. We are asking residents to check on their neighbors if they are not at home. Please let us know so we can check their property and their absence. We know that we have numerous homes within the search area in which we presume the occupants are away for the holiday weekend. We have been checking the exteriors of many of those homes but as they return, if they find anything disturbed, please stop and call us so that we can check it out prior to them going through the residence. Third, please check your home security cameras and call us with anything suspicious you might observe. There’s been *** tip line established and we can be reached at 71756229877175622987. All tips, of course will be fully investigated. We also remind everyone that *** reward totaling up to $10,000 has been offered for information leading to the capture of I wanted to say *** couple of things to the community as well. If I could first, you may be hearing *** message that’s being broadcast from *** helicopter or from cars in the vicinity of that perimeter that I talked about. One of the things that we have done is we’ve had the individual’s mother make *** recording asking him to surrender peacefully. It’s done in Spanish or Portuguese and it’s being broadcast in an effort to facilitate his peaceful surrender. Secondly, we’re also asking the community to avoid that the wooded area or anything outside of the immediate area around their homes in that perimeter that I described, as I said, we’re actively searching that area. We’re certainly not trying to lock anyone down, but we want to keep residents as safe as possible while we thoroughly search that area. So again, we ask them to refrain from that area. And I’d also like to thank the community for their support. This has gone on for *** couple of days now. I know it’s stressful for the community, but I want to assure you that all of us up here and our respective offices are working diligently to bring this to *** conclusion as quickly as possible. Please know we are devoting all available resources. We’re constantly identifying additional needs. We’re making sure we bring those in and we will resolve this as quickly as possible and as safely as possible with that said, um we’ll be happy to take questions if, if any of you have any the most recent sighting. Can you just describe *** little bit about what he looks like? Has he changed his appearance at all? Or what was the nature of the appearance was very similar to what we’ve described, perhaps looking *** little more worn and tired, but *** very brief sighting and it was *** trooper actually that observed him in some distance, gave chase but was unable because of the terrain and some other obstacles there was unable to get to him before he disappeared. It was all within that perimeter area, but I don’t want to be any more specific than that elaborate on what makes it an incredible sighting all visual. Are there videos of one was *** video sighting that I believe you have all seen. We’ve analyzed that video, the others are not video. But after extensive interviews, we believe them to be credible sightings, I wouldn’t want to comment at this point. We’ll of course explore all avenues and that’s always something we look for. But I wouldn’t want to go into anything more. Right now. We can confirm that we have investigated actually two burglaries. The evidence is still under analysis at this point. And so I can’t confirm that it was him, but they are of interest to us why you’re telling people because after this holiday weekend, you said people had been home so well, not only because of those two instances, but we know that he is going to be looking for *** means to sustain himself. He’s going to need clothing, he’s going to need food and just to get in, out of the weather, it’s pretty hot out there. I’m sure he’s looking for some better shelter. So for *** lot of reasons, we would be concerned about where he might hide. That’s, that’s within the search area. And yes, we have investigated *** number of things within that search area. I don’t want to get any more specific than that. So he needs to himself in some way but that water, as you mentioned, find some kind of shelter. Um talk to me about when, when you’re looking for someone who is in *** desperate situation right now, what are those things that you’re taking into account? Um, in terms of his needs. Well, from experience, there are *** lot of things that we’ll consider, but certainly you have to keep in mind he’s stressed right now. Imagine any one of you being placed in *** situation where you may not have had *** chance to pack. You don’t have things with you other than what you’re wearing and you don’t have cash, you don’t have *** credit card, you don’t have any other means to support yourself. You’re going to be desperate and that’s the situation he’s in. But it’s also why one of our practices in how we conduct these types of investigations and manhunts is that we will continue to push him hard. I intend to stress him. I want to push him hard. He’ll make mistakes, he’ll show himself, he’s already shown himself. We believe *** few times we will contain him and we will eventually catch him. We will do it as quickly as possible. Obviously, it takes time. He is desperate. He does not want to be caught. He has very little to lose at this point. So I’m going to defer to the school districts to communicate that information out. I can tell you that we have been in touch with the State Department of Education, having discussions about this and also the district attorney has been in touch with several of the local superintendents. We’re going to have another discussion later this afternoon. Ultimately, the decision rests with the school districts. We can provide them sort of the latest picture of what’s going on in their areas and then we ask them to make that decision and communicate that out to the parents. Yes, you *** little bit more on there. If he is not actively surrendering deadly force is authorized. This is for Deb Ryan, have you completed your investigation into the prison break at this point? Or are you still Mike? Our goal right now is to find this man and capture him. So we are are channeling all of our efforts to bring him into custody. That is secondary, that is certainly *** concern. But at this point, all manpower has been executed to find and hunt down this fugitive. But how can you explain how as I indicated, our focus right now is to capture this fugitive. He’s *** dangerous person. We will be able to update our investigation with respect to what happened at the prison at *** later date. I mean, obviously the question is, could other people also escape? I mean, is there something at issue with the prison where somebody else could pull this off? They have been looking into what happened and they are investigating what happened. I’m not at liberty at this point to share with the public what is going on with respect to that investigation. The prison is, is very aware of whatever vulnerabilities they had and they have made efforts to correct those vulnerabilities, you know how he escaped and you’re just not saying or you just don’t know. As I indicated, we are working on the investigation with respect to the escape. But our main focus right now is to capture this fugitive. Confirm that there was another escape. Two months. Yes, there was. That’s correct. I believe it was in May of this year. Ok. So that’s not too much. We interviewed *** neighbor who said that he was in his shed as somebody who escaped *** couple. I think we’re talking about the same suspect. Yeah. Does this seem like he had *** plan at all or was this? I mean, it doesn’t seem like he knew where to go, but at this time, we don’t know Mike. Um and we’re conducting that investigation. Can you elaborate on talking to the superintendents because we’ve talked to all of us, I’ve talked to so many neighbors, right? Who are apoplectic. I want to use the word because it’s so upset. Right? Can you talk to them about, you know, they’re saying they’re not getting *** lot of communication, they don’t know what to do. They are having guns by their side, like literally so upset. Can you just talk to them about what is going on and how they can? Absolutely. And our main concern is with the residents in this community. Of course, we want to make sure that they, they are protected and kept safe. We have been in communication with the superintendents. We have been sending out reverse 911 calls to the residents in *** two mile perimeter. So they’re getting updates that the rest of the community outside of that area are not getting. So we’re making every effort to be in touch with them regarding the schools and how we want to operate moving forward. We have *** call this afternoon to talk that out with the superintendents, but like Colonel Bivins indicated, it’s going to be *** decision that the school districts have to make on their own. But we’re going to provide them with all the information that they need to make an educated decision on that. Would you like to say, I understand that and I want to say that we are doing everything in our power to get this guy and people are working around the clock. I understand, I understand their fears, but we are doing everything. We are bringing in all the experts in this area. We have the top men and women working around the clock to bring this man to justice and we’re not going to stop until he’s captured and we hope we’re getting closer. And if I could, if I could just jump back and hear him. Thank you with regard to the neighbors or the people in this area, I want to assure them that we have *** strong presence there. They are not on their own out there. We have people close by if they hear or see anything call us. We will be happy to come check it out. They don’t need to go outside and check out *** suspicious noise or if they hear something in their homes, we’ll take care of it right away. We’re close by. It’s not going to take long at all to have somebody there. So we’re happy to do that. And again, please know that we are doing everything we asked for their indulgence of the heavy police presence. But that’s one of the ways that we can as best possible, assure their safety. Do you think that people should be avoiding any behavior that they should avoid? As you mentioned, they go out into the woods, but obviously, you know, family get together, they stay inside and no, we’re not asking people to do that. There’s been no indication that that he poses that kind of *** threat to anyone in those neighborhoods. He doesn’t want to be caught. He doesn’t want to go back. Now, could he be desperate and do something? Sure. But, but we don’t have information to suggest that anyone is at risk for going out in their yard. What we’re saying is to avoid interfering with the search, you know, avoid those wooded areas. And again, that’s *** fairly small area, maybe *** mile, mile and *** half across the rest of the area. We’re not even asking people to avoid the woods. It’s within that perimeter area that we’ve set up that we’re just asking for those uh uh not even restrictions, some cooperation to make our jobs *** little bit easier, which is always *** two mile radius from the Chester County Prison, this whole area that’s on. And then again, the use of deadly force is this shoot to kill on site or if he doesn’t actively cooperate. Well, the term is not shoot to kill. Its deadly force is authorized and it’s, if he is not actively surrendering, we do consider him to be *** very dangerous individual. He is convicted of homicide. Here was involved. I told another homicide in Brazil some years ago, it’s somebody that we think poses *** threat and needs to be taken out of the community, needs to be incarcerated. He has the option to surrender. That is what we hope he will do will be returned to prison. We’ll discuss that at that point in time. But what I would tell you is that I can assure you that there will be secure measures put in place that he won’t be escaping again. And so whether that’s at another facility, that’s something that we’ll be discussing with the district attorney and also with the State Department of Corrections are going home to home searching to see if he’s in one of their homes or we heard from some neighbors that they allowed the troopers they have been. And so again, we ask their cooperation. So you may see *** trooper in that area or somewhere close by, knock at your door and ask some questions or ask if they can come in. And again, it’s simply that they’re trying to make sure that we have thoroughly searched that entire area and that residents homes are secure in your right now. Sure. I think Lieutenant Colonel Bivins summarized everything perfectly. Our role is to support the Pennsylvania State Police. They are the lead investigator in this investigation and they come with much experience of these woodland manhunts. We’ve had numerous, numerous manhunts. I think the most recent was in Warren County just *** couple months ago. So we’re bringing the best of the best assets out here. Their team, their special emergency response team is well trained. They’re here, our professionals. So the Marshal service are here as well and our position is that desperateness will not outlast the resolve of our investigators here. And that goes for the state police that goes for the marshal service, our state and county local investigators. We’re all on the same team and like Lieutenant Colonel said, we will get him, we’ll push the threat, he’ll make *** mistake and we’ll bring him into custody. So that two mile radius, you, you’ve done this many times. People outside the two M I don’t think we’re there yet. Like Lieutenant Colonel said, our efforts are focused on that mile and *** half to two mile radius inside the inner perimeter, been four confirmed sightings. So we’re not ready to sound the alarm outside of that radius. Yet all of our efforts are focused inside and until we exhaust that or we prove that he’s escaped that two mile radius, then we can talk about maybe what the public should do outside. But our efforts are all concerned inside the radius. I mean, *** lot of residents are saying like how is he still not captured? You, you’re not the US marshals like you guys are the experts on this. There’s troopers out there. *** two mile radius is so small. Like you just talk *** little about like, where could he be? Like is he in *** tree? Like when you talk about *** two mile radius, you got to remember. This is *** 5 ft tall gentleman, £120 and this is *** heavily heavily wooded area. It’s very, very thick back there. There’s *** lot of hiding spots, there’s *** lot of ravines back there and we are an expert in future investigations, but the Pennsylvania State police are experts in incident command. And I think that’s why Lieutenant Colonel Bivins is here. There’s nobody better in the agency than him. And I guarantee you that if he is here, that his troopers along with our investigators are going to be able to find and locate him out, he can actually sustain himself for an extended period of time between waters. Is there enough resources out there? I don’t know, I don’t know. What he’s obtained. Um I’m no expert on what’s edible out there. Uh What drinking water he’s using. Uh, from the video the other night, we know he had *** backpack on one of the questions is where did he get that backpack? So when we say homeowners who are coming back from the shore, check your belongings, see if anything’s been disturbed. Are you missing *** backpack that could fill in some voids for us? So as far as sustainability on the land, I’m just not sure but *** man who is desperate at this, anything’s possible to release the recording to the media. Not now, there’s not, we’re utilizing it for our investigation. So that was broadcast like lieutenant colonel said through the helicopter yesterday and through patrol cars in hopes that perhaps as desperate, as desperate as he is, maybe he has *** change of thought and here’s his mother telling him to surrender and his family cares about him. He’s desperate, he’s hungry. He’s been in the woods, he’s dirty. Perhaps this is what puts him over the edge where we can get *** peaceful surrender. Is his mom in Brazil. She is. That’s my follow up question. I know. But can you tell us what his mother is actually saying to him? I don’t want to say verbatim. She’s just encouraging that his family loves him and that she wants him to surrender and that’s what our hope is as well. All right. Thank you. Very much.
Pennsylvania police broadcast message from escaped murderer’s mother encouraging him to surrender
Updated: 5:59 AM EDT Sep 5, 2023
Pennsylvania police are broadcasting a message from escaped murderer Danelo Cavalcante’s mother urging him to surrender, as authorities narrow in on a 2-mile area where they believe he is hiding.Cavalcante, 34, broke out of the Chester County Prison, about 30 miles west of Philadelphia, at around 8:50 a.m. Thursday, the Chester County District Attorney’s Office said. The district attorney, Deb Ryan, described Cavalcante as “an extremely dangerous man.”The Brazilian national was convicted of first-degree murder on Aug. 16 for killing his former girlfriend, 33-year-old Deborah Brandão, in 2021. He was sentenced to life without parole last week and is also wanted in Brazil on suspicion of another murder.As the manhunt enters its fifth day, police have honed in on a deeply wooded area with a 2-mile radius near the prison, said Robert Clark, supervisory deputy U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania at a Monday afternoon news conference.And they’re using a unique tactic to draw in the convicted murderer: Helicopters and patrol cars are blasting a message in Portuguese from Cavalcante’s mother, urging him to surrender, Clark said.”As desperate as he is, maybe he has a change of thought and hears his mother telling him to surrender, and his family cares about him,” Clark said. “Perhaps this is what puts him over the edge where we can get a peaceful surrender,” he said.Clark did not release the exact contents of the message but said “she’s just encouraging that his family loves him, and that she wants him to surrender. And that’s what our hope is as well.”There have been four credible sightings of Cavalcante within a small area since he escaped, according to authorities. The most recent sighting was Sunday afternoon by a trooper, Lt. Colonel George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police said during the news conference.Police have also investigated two burglaries in the area. While officials cannot confirm the burglaries were committed by Cavalcante, “they are of interest to us,” Bivens said Monday.Bivens added police are working to “stress” Cavalcante. They don’t know if or how the escapee is obtaining food and water in the thick woods, he said.”I intend to stress him. I want to push him hard. He’ll make mistakes,” he said. “He’ll show himself. He’s already shown himself, we believe, a few times.”Officials are authorized to use deadly force if they find Cavalcante and he does not actively surrender, Bivens said.Authorities encouraged residents to call the police if they see anything suspicious and to avoid interacting with Cavalcante if they do see him. They also urged residents to report homes left vacant over the Labor Day vacation so police can check if Cavalcante is using any of those properties to hide.Another prisoner escaped from Chester County prison earlier this year, Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said during Monday’s news conference.”The prison is very aware of whatever vulnerabilities they had, and they have made efforts to correct those vulnerabilities,” the district attorney said.
Pennsylvania police are broadcasting a message from escaped murderer Danelo Cavalcante’s mother urging him to surrender, as authorities narrow in on a 2-mile area where they believe he is hiding.
Cavalcante, 34, broke out of the Chester County Prison, about 30 miles west of Philadelphia, at around 8:50 a.m. Thursday, the Chester County District Attorney’s Office said. The district attorney, Deb Ryan, described Cavalcante as “an extremely dangerous man.”
The Brazilian national was convicted of first-degree murder on Aug. 16 for killing his former girlfriend, 33-year-old Deborah Brandão, in 2021. He was sentenced to life without parole last week and is also wanted in Brazil on suspicion of another murder.
As the manhunt enters its fifth day, police have honed in on a deeply wooded area with a 2-mile radius near the prison, said Robert Clark, supervisory deputy U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania at a Monday afternoon news conference.
And they’re using a unique tactic to draw in the convicted murderer: Helicopters and patrol cars are blasting a message in Portuguese from Cavalcante’s mother, urging him to surrender, Clark said.
“As desperate as he is, maybe he has a change of thought and hears his mother telling him to surrender, and his family cares about him,” Clark said.
“Perhaps this is what puts him over the edge where we can get a peaceful surrender,” he said.
Clark did not release the exact contents of the message but said “she’s just encouraging that his family loves him, and that she wants him to surrender. And that’s what our hope is as well.”
There have been four credible sightings of Cavalcante within a small area since he escaped, according to authorities. The most recent sighting was Sunday afternoon by a trooper, Lt. Colonel George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police said during the news conference.
Police have also investigated two burglaries in the area. While officials cannot confirm the burglaries were committed by Cavalcante, “they are of interest to us,” Bivens said Monday.
Bivens added police are working to “stress” Cavalcante. They don’t know if or how the escapee is obtaining food and water in the thick woods, he said.
“I intend to stress him. I want to push him hard. He’ll make mistakes,” he said. “He’ll show himself. He’s already shown himself, we believe, a few times.”
Officials are authorized to use deadly force if they find Cavalcante and he does not actively surrender, Bivens said.
Authorities encouraged residents to call the police if they see anything suspicious and to avoid interacting with Cavalcante if they do see him. They also urged residents to report homes left vacant over the Labor Day vacation so police can check if Cavalcante is using any of those properties to hide.
Another prisoner escaped from Chester County prison earlier this year, Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said during Monday’s news conference.
“The prison is very aware of whatever vulnerabilities they had, and they have made efforts to correct those vulnerabilities,” the district attorney said.