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
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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.
Aerial footage shows officers on the scene of Danelo Cavalcante’s arrest
Aerial footage shows heavily-armed law enforcement officers on the scene of Danelo Cavalcante’s arrest.
How Danelo Cavalcante was captured:
A nearly two-week manhunt for dangerous murder convict Danelo Cavalcante came to an end on Wednesday 13 September as he was captured in Pennsylvania.
Cavalcante was arrested without incident on Wednesday and taken to the Pennsylvania State Police Avondale barracks. Authorities are set to hold a press conference on the capture at 9.30am.
The fugitive was found hiding inside a shed in Pottstown with the rifle he had previously stolen from a home in South Coventry Township, FOX29 reports. Aerial footage of the capture showed dozens of law enforcement officers surrounding Cavalcante, who was wearing a grey Eagles hooded sweatshirt and dark pants.
Cavalcante was escorted to a SWAT tactical car, where officers cut apart his clothing.
Police press conference about to start
The press conference is about to start.
On the stage are images of Danelo Cavalcante during his capture:
WATCH LIVE: Press conference on capture of Danelo Cavalcante
Live: Police speak after capture of Pennsylvania fugitive following two-week manhunt
Watch live as Pennsylvania state and local authorities hold a news briefing to announce the capture of fugitive Danelo Cavalcante after two weeks on the run.
Pennsylvania governor: Cavalcante captured just after 8am
The press conference has begun.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said that Danelo Cavalcante was captured just after 8am local time on Wednesday morning.
“He was apprehended with no shots fired,” he said.
“First and foremost, thank god there were no injuries to law enforcement or the public... we were deeply concerned after the supect was able to [get a firearm]”.
The governor thanked the “extraordinary work of law enforcement officials” including Pennsylvania State Police, federal partners and local officials.
Police: Timeline of his capture
Lt Col Bivens revealed details of his capture.
“It is a true pleasure to stand here this morning and talk to all of you about bringing this manhunt to a successful conclusion,” he said.
- Just after midnight a series of events started to unfold, he said.
- Burglar alarm at residence near Prizer Road within the perimiter. Investigated but did not find Cavalcante.
- Were searching area not far from there and then used thermal imaging technology – around 1am ET found a heat signal and tracked that. Briefly hampered by storm.
- Secured that area during storm until could bring aircraft back overhead.
- Search resumed early this morning and then just around 8am tactical teams converged on the area where the heat source was.
Police had ‘element of surprise'
Lt Col Bivens said that the search teams had the “element of surprise” over Danelo Cavalcante.
“He did not know that he was surrounded,” he said, of the moment that tactical teams circled the heat imaging spot and went in to capture him.
Danelo Cavalcante tried to escape one last time
Danelo Cavalcante tried to escape when tactical teams swooped, according to authorities.
Lt Col Bivens said that the killer crawled through thick underbrush taking the rifle he had stolen with him.
Officials released a police dog and managed to “forcibly” take him into custody.