Danelo Cavalcante, Crab-Walking Prison Escapee, Captured After Extensive Manhunt (UPDATE)

While Cavalcante made headlines and became the subject of jokes over his method of escape, many were quick to note the severity of his conviction.

September 13, 2023

UPDATED 9/14, 10 p.m. ET: The State Correctional Institution – Phoenix is going the extra mile to ensure that Danelo Cavalcante does not escape again.

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections tells TMZ that Cavalcante must remain in a specialized observation unit at all times, unless he has to visit a counselor or undergo medical care. He is being observed around the clock and even his food will be consumed behind bars.

According to TMZ, Cavalcante was given eggs and hotcakes for breakfast, sweet and sour chicken for lunch, and salisbury steak for dinner this week—a vast improvement from eating stolen watermelons and drinking creek water while on the run for two weeks, as reported by People.

See original story below.

Danelo Cavalcante has been captured following an extensive manhunt.

Pennsylvania State Police said Wednesday that Cavalcante, who was seen in viral footage crab-walking up a wall before later escaping, had been captured. A press conference is scheduled to take place shortly.

Cavalcante escaped from the Chester County Prison on Aug. 31, spurring a search involving multiple agencies and generating numerous headlines. While the crab-walking clip also inspired a number of jokes on social media, many were quick to highlight the severity of Cavalcante’s conviction.

Earlier in August, Cavalcante was sentenced to life without parole in the fatal stabbing of his ex-girlfriend. On Tuesday night, local authorities said Cavalcante had last been seen in the South Coventry Township area “carrying a stolen .22 rifle with a flashlight.”

According to regional outlet WPVI, Cavalcante was caught while “hiding under foliage” in northern Chester County around 8:15 a.m. local time. Later, the area where Cavalcante was found was further detailed as a business where the fugitive hid using a pile of logs.

At a prior press conference, Howard Holland—acting warden of Chester County Prison—pointed out that a tower officer at the prison did not “oversee nor report the escape.” He also acknowledged the similarities in Cavalcante’s escape to that of a prior inmate at the facility who broke free in May.

Wednesday morning, after a slight delay from its originally scheduled start time, local officials detailed Cavalcante's capture. Per the presser, no shots were fired during the morning capture. Additionally, no members of the general public or law enforcement were injured during the 13-day search effort.