Escaped Pennsylvania murderer caught after two-week manhunt

Pennsylvania State Police officials said convicted murderer Danelo Cavalcante was captured early Wednesday morning after a two-week manhunt in southeastern Pennsylvania. Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens said a helicopter with thermal imaging cameras helped locate Cavalcante, and he was detained with the help of a law enforcement dog shortly after 8 a.m. Bivens said no officers were hurt in the operation despite Cavalcante having a stolen 22-caliber rifle. Cavalcante will eventually be transferred to a state prison to serve his life sentence.

What’s with all the Pennsylvania prison breaks? Cavalvante is not the first prisoner to escape custody in the last year or even the last two months. Igor Bolte escaped the same Chester County Prison as Cavalcate in May by crab-walking between two courtyard walls to access the roof, the same way Cavalante escaped. Suspected killer Michael Burham also escaped Warren County custody in July, prompting a nine-day manhunt. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said he’s “confident in the leadership” and that the State Department of Corrections may assist in updates to prison safety.

Dig deeper: Read Emily Belz’ report in WORLD Magazine on the “Son of Sam” killer’s spiritual rebirth while serving his life sentence.