Police in pursuit of escaped murderer Danelo Cavalcante, last seen armed

Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Authorities in Pennsylvania's Chester County said Tuesday evening that officers continued to pursue Danelo Cavalcante, an escaped convicted murderer who has led hundreds of police officers on a nearly two-week manhunt through communities outside Philadelphia. Pennsylvania police he is armed and extremely dangerous.

Local and state officers have been pursuing the 34-year-old fugitive in South Coventry Township since late Monday after he was spotted by a resident in the area. Pennsylvania State Police have confirmed he has since armed himself with a stolen .22 caliber rifle equipped with a scope and flashlight.

Pennsylvania State Police said at about 8 p.m. that they believe Cavalcante is within the perimeter of Routes 23 & 100, Fairview and Nantmeal Roads and Iron Bridge and County Park Roads.

"Residents should secure buildings, property and vehicles. Report sightings or related activity immediately to 911," Pennsylvania State Police said in a tweet.

He was last described as shirtless and wearing dark pants.

During an earlier Tuesday press conference updating residents on the overnight manhunt, Lt. Col. George Bivens of Pennsylvania State Police told reporters that a motorist had seen a man crouched near South Fairview Road and that officers who inspected the location found footprints that match the prison shoes worn by Cavalcante.

Bivens said both of his prison shoes were located and that police received information from a resident in the immediate area that a pair of work boots had been filched from her porch.

At 10:10 p.m., another call came in from a resident on Coventry Road, stating a short, shirtless Hispanic man, had entered their garage while they were in it and grabbed a .22 rifle. The homeowner drew their piston and fired at the suspect believed to be Cavalcante as they fled.

Bivens said there is no indication that Cavalcante was injured in the shooting.

Pennsylvania State Police responded to the scene and located a green sweatshirt and a white T-shirt in the driveway that they believe was worn by Cavalcante.

Upwards of 500 officers have been engaged in securing the search perimeter, Bivens said.

"Cavalcante is considered armed and extremely dangerous," he said.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro visited the search command center in Chester County on Tuesday in a show of confidence in their ability to bring Cavalcante to justice.

"State, local, and federal law enforcement is working around the clock through tough conditions to capture this convicted murderer and @PAStatePolcie is showing exemplary leadership," he said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"I know many Pennsylvanians are scared and worried -- but now more than ever, it's critical for the public in North Coventry Township and South Coventry Township to remain vigilant and alert police immediately of any suspected sightings or information regarding his whereabouts."

The Owen J. Roberts School District, which is located in South Coventry Township, announced that all schools and offices will remain closed on Wednesday.

"Stay safe and stay strong, OJR Community," superintendent Will Stout said in a statement.

Cavalcante, 34, escaped Aug. 31 from the Chester County Prison in West Chester, Pa., where he was serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the 2021 stabbing death of his ex-girlfriend Deborah Brandao. He is also wanted in his native Brazil on murder charges from 2017.

Last week, the Chester County District Attorney's office released video showing Cavalcante escape from the facility via a climbing technique called chimneying that one uses to ascend between two parallel surfaces. Cavalcante used his hands to push against one wall and his feet the other, and with his back facing skyward he simply walked backward up between the two structures.

Cavalcante has led police on an increasingly intense manhunt since, during which he has been spotted multiple times.

Though sporting long hair and a beard in the video of his escape, Cavalcante has since shaved.

The reward for information that leads to the capture of Cavalcante was increased Monday by

Authorities on Monday told reporters in a press conference that they were focusing their search on an area in Chester County's East Nantmeal Township where they found a white van they believe Cavalcante had stolen.

They said Cavalcante has attempted contact acquaintances, and Bivens urged anyone who was thinking of helping Cavalcante to instead aid law enforcement in his capture.

Eleni Cavalcante, who is Danelo Cavalcante's sister, has been taken into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, Bivens said, adding that she has been entered into deportation proceedings for over staying her visa.

"She has failed to cooperate, and so there was no value in law enforcement keeping her here at this point," he said.