Police in US state of Pennsylvania still searching for escaped convict

By Darren Lyn

HOUSTON, US (AA) - Police in the US state of Pennsylvania continued their manhunt on Monday for Danelo Cavalcante, nearly two weeks after he broke out of prison.

Cavalcante, 34, escaped on Aug. 31 from the Chester County Prison in Pocopson Township, located about 80 kilometers (50 miles) west of Philadelphia.

Police have followed up on numerous leads and sightings regarding Cavalcante's whereabouts but so far have turned up nothing.

Authorities said that Cavalcante stole a van which they found on Sunday more than 32 kilometers (20 miles) away from the prison.

"We remain concerned that Cavalcante will obtain another vehicle to facilitate his escape," said Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens at a news conference.

Officials are also warning anyone who may be helping the fugitive that they will suffer consequences as well.

"We are monitoring for any possible help in a variety of ways, and so what I would tell you is that if we detect assistance, that will be prosecuted," emphasized Bivens.

While police have expressed that they do not believe Cavalcante has the resources to leave the state of Pennsylvania, they are preparing for a much longer manhunt than they had originally planned for.

"In the beginning, we were prepping for the short game," said Deputy US Marshal Robert Clark in a statement. "Now we're planning for the long game...and the long game is what we do best."

Cavalcante's prison breakout has received worldwide attention for the way in which he escaped. Surveillance footage showed that he crab-walked out of the prison by stretching out his hands and feet between two walls and shimmying up to the rooftop, where he then scaled a fence and crossed a razor wire barrier.

Just days before his escape, Cavalcante was sentenced to life in prison for first degree murder in the stabbing death of his former girlfriend, Deborah Brandao.

Police said Cavalcante has changed his appearance from his original fugitive photos by shaving his facial hair. New surveillance pictures now show him with a clean-shaven face and wearing a green hooded sweater.

While authorities do not have a "defined search area" for Cavalcante, they said they are confident they will apprehend him.

"This is a manhunt, and all that means to us is that it’s a longer fugitive investigation with more resources," said Clark. "So we are prepared."