Danelo Cavalcante, 34, got out by scaling walls with his body parallel to the ground at the Chester County Prison.
A newly released surveillance video has revealed the dramatic escape of convicted murderer Danelo Cavalcante from a Pennsylvania prison. The footage, shared on Wednesday, shows the 34-year-old scaling the walls of Chester County Prison by positioning his body between two parallel walls. Using this unusual method, Cavalcante was able to push himself upward and reach the roof, ultimately breaking free from his cell in Pocopson Township.
The escape occurred last Thursday, and authorities have since been working tirelessly to locate him. In the video, Cavalcante’s slender 5-foot, 120-pound frame allowed him to crawl horizontally between the brick and cinderblock walls, enabling him to reach the roof undetected. His method of escape, referred to as “crab-walking,” has raised concerns about the security measures in place at the facility.
Acting Warden Howard Holland spoke to reporters about the severity of the escape, emphasizing the negative impact it has had on the local community. “I just want to ensure that we know the gravity of the situation and how it’s impacted our community negatively,” Holland said, acknowledging the potential risks posed by Cavalcante’s escape.
Cavalcante had been serving a life sentence for the 2021 murder of his ex-girlfriend, and his escape has prompted a large-scale manhunt. Authorities have warned the public to be vigilant as they continue their search for the fugitive, whose escape has highlighted potential vulnerabilities in the prison’s infrastructure.
As law enforcement agencies work to track him down, questions have arisen about the prison’s security protocols and the need for improved surveillance measures to prevent similar escapes in the future. While authorities have not yet confirmed how Cavalcante managed to evade detection during his escape, the video has raised alarm over the effectiveness of the prison’s security systems.
The escape has prompted renewed calls for prison reform and better training for prison staff. Meanwhile, local residents remain on edge as authorities urge them to report any suspicious activity. The ongoing search for Cavalcante is expected to intensify in the coming days as law enforcement officials work to bring him back into custody.
Cavalcante’s escape serves as a stark reminder of the lengths to which some inmates may go in order to evade capture, prompting a reevaluation of prison security across the state. As the search continues, authorities are urging the public to remain alert and report any potential sightings of the fugitive.