Danelo Cavalcante planned carjacking to flee to Canada before capture - latest updates
Fugitive was left with a bloody face after suffering bite from Belgium Malinois dog Yoda as he was captured after almost two weeks on the run on Wednesday
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
Escaped prisoner Danelo Cavalcante has revealed how he survived almost two weeks on the run from law enforcement in Pennsylvania, following his dramatic capture by a police dog called Yoda.
US Marshall Robert Clark told ABC News that the convicted killer had been very candid after he was captured on Wednesday morning. He told investigators how he evaded capture and survived in the woods by eating watermelon.
“He stated he intended to carjack somebody in the next 24 hours and that he was going to head north to Canada,” Mr Clark said. “He said on multiple occasions law enforcement officers almost stepped on him, [that] we were only five or six feet away.”
Pennsylvania officials said that tactical teams closed in on Cavalcante on Wednesday morning and the inmate began to crawl through heavy underbrush to get away. At that point, Yoda, a four-year-old Belgium Malinois, set out to subdue the escapee, leaving him with a face bloodied from a bite.
Cavalcante had escaped from Chester County Prison on 31 August – days after he was sentenced to life for fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend Deborah Brandao. He is also wanted for a 2017 murder in Brazil.
WATCH: Moment police pose for group photo with escaped killer Danelo Cavalcante after capture
Danelo Cavalcante back behind bars at SCI Phoenix
Danelo Cavalcante is finally back behind bars after the two-week prison break.
The convicted killer was taken to SCI Phoenix, a maximum security prison in Montgomery County, on Wednesday.
While he is already facing life in priso for murder, he has now also been charged with felony escape over the prison break.
On Wednesday, he made a brief court appearance where he was denied bail.
He is expected to appear in court again for a preliminary hearing on 27 September.
This is Yoda, the four-year-old Belgian Malinois who subdued Cavalcante
Lt Col Goerge Bivens said on Wednesday that a K-9 with Border Patrol had helped agents surprise Cvaalcante and secure his capture.
Cavalcante sustained a minor injury on his scalp from the confrontation with the dog. A Border Patrol told The Independent that the K9 behind the heroic efforts was a four-year-old Belgian Malinois named Yoda.
“The men and women of US Customs and Border Protection provide integral law enforcement support to local authorities, protecting and serving local communities around the country alongside our partners,” the spokesperson said. “Today’s actions are the latest demonstration of how our agents and officers bring incredible capability, additional interagency communications technology, and dedication to keep our communities safe. Most importantly, all those involved in the search were able to return home safe following the end to this manhunt.”
PICTURED: Danelo Cavalcante escorted by officers after capture
Danelo Cavalcante hit with new charges over prison break
Danelo Cavalcante has been hit with new charges over his prison break which sparked a dramatic two-week manhunt,.
The convicted killer was captured on Wednesday after breaking out of Chester County Prison back on 31 August.
While he is already facing life in prison for murder, he has now also been charged with felony escape over the prison break.
On Wednesday, he made a brief court appearance where he was denied bail.
He is expected to appear in court again for a preliminary hearing on 27 September.
WATCH: Police recount the capture of Pennsylvania fugitive Daniel Cavalcante
How did Cavalcante elude law enforcement for two weeks?
Cavalcante escaped Chester County Prison in Pennsylvania back on 31 August after he was handed a life sentence for murdering his former girlfriend.
It was not until almost two weeks later – on the morning of 13 September – that the escaped prisoner was finally back in handcuffs, after he was captured by a tactical team and police K-9 in a wooded area.
Since his capture, investigators have now revealed that Cavalcante complied with their questions and told them various details about his time on the run from the police.
The Independent’s Amelia Neath reports:
How Danelo Cavalcante survived for two weeks on the run
US Marshall said the escaped convict was ‘brutally honest’ when interrogated about his life on the run
Officials will hold town halls for Chester County residents following Cavalcante’s capture
According to The Unionville Times, the Chester County Commissioners will hold town hall meetings with residents of the area where the manhunt for Cavalcante took place between 31 August and 13 September.
The town halls will take place on 18 and 20 September, and officials are expected to provide updates on security enhancement at Chester County Prison as well as offer counselling services for residents.
“The nightmare of the past two weeks may have concluded with the capture of Cavalcante, but there are many questions that we know our residents have, especially those who live close to the prison,” commissioners said in a statement to The Unionville Times.
“These Town Hall events will serve to provide an update on prison security and emergency communication and will also give us the chance to listen to residents and answer their questions.
“We stand ready to bring the resources of Chester County to bear, to support residents as they process and recover from this incident.”
WATCH: Chester County communities return to normal with Cavalcante in custody
Store manager recounts Cavalcante’s arrest
Jim Martin, the manager of a Little’s John Deere dealership, said that Cavalcante’s arrest took place just outside of his business.
“We saw them checking the tree lines and out of nowhere everybody started congregating back by the shed and then we saw him walk him up,” Mr Martin told NBC 10. “One camouflage had his rifle and walked him up and EMS started working on him in the parking lot.”
Cavalcante was hiding under logs in a shed when he was surprised by law enforcement.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.