An inmate convicted of murder escaped from a Pennsylvania prison Thursday morning, according to local authorities.
Danelo Cavalcante, 34, escaped from the Chester County Jail about 8:50 a.m. Thursday, the Chester County District Attorney’s Office said. Prosecutor Deb Ryan described Cavalcante as “an extremely dangerous man.”
Cavalcante was last seen around 9:40 a.m. walking down a nearby street in Pocopson Township. He was wearing a white T-shirt, gray shorts and white sneakers.
The prison is about 30 miles west of Philadelphia.
“Chester County detectives and the Pennsylvania State Police are conducting an extensive search throughout the county,” the district attorney’s office said in a news release.
Cavalcante is “really good at hiding from law enforcement and we believe he’s now going to do everything in his power to try to get away from us,” Ryan told CNN Tonight’s Laura Coates on Thursday.
“Right now there are hundreds of people on the ground and in the air looking for him,” Ryan said.
Cavalcante was convicted of first-degree murder on August 16 for killing his former girlfriend in 2021. Last week he was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Authorities are investigating whether Cavalcante had inside help in the escape, Ryan said.
“Detectives in my office are conducting interviews to find out what happened,” Ryan said.
Ryan urged the public to call 911 immediately if they have any information about Cavalcante.