The convicted murderer who escaped from prison two weeks ago was captured on Wednesday after he was tracked down using thermal heat technology from an aircraft, NBC News reported.
Danelo Cavalcante, who escaped from the exercise yard at Chester County Prison in Pennsylvania on August 31, was taken into custody Wednesday morning after he was pinned down by a dog with the Border Patrol tactical unit.
Cavalcante was transported to Avondale State Police barracks just before 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said at a press conference. Except for a minor dog bite, Cavalcante had no significant injuries, Bivens said.
On Tuesday, authorities established an 8 to 10-mile search perimeter in northern Chester County.
According to Lt. Col. Bivens, shortly after midnight Wednesday morning, the burglar alarm at a residence within the perimeter went off. Law enforcement investigated but Cavalcante was not sighted.
Using thermal heat technology from a US DEA aircraft, Cavalcante’s heat signature was detected around 1:00 a.m. and tactical teams converged on the area. A lightning storm forced the DEA aircraft to leave the area, briefly slowing the search. The area was secured until the aircraft returned, according to Lt. Col. Bevins.
Just before 8:00 a.m. Wednesday morning, the teams converged on the heat source detected in a wooded area near PA 100.
According to Lt. Col. Bivens, Cavalcante was not aware he was surrounded, giving the tactical teams “the element of surprise.”
Cavalcante was crawling through the underbrush armed with the .22 caliber rifle he stole Monday night. Lt. Col. Bevins credits the element of surprise and the Border Patrol tactical unit dog with enabling authorities to subdue Cavalcante before he could use his weapon.
Cavalcante was taken to the State Police barracks for processing. He will be transported back to prison to serve out his life sentence.
