EAST MARLBOROUGH — Grateful Chester County residents on Wednesday celebrated the capture of prison escapee Danelo Cavalcante.
Kayli Finn, a barista working behind the counter of Farmer & Co. in Unionville near the state police command center at Po-Mar-Lin Fire Company, called the event “lucky day 14.”
“We feel much more hopeful and safer in our community,” Finn said.
Ella Arnold of Quarryville was outside the popular local business, selecting flowers for a boutique.
Arnold said what surprised her the most was how long Cavalcante could elude law enforcement on the run and how localized the crisis was to the community.
“I’m just glad that it’s over,” Arnold said.
Law enforcement captured Cavalcante shortly after 8 a.m. in northern Chester County, bringing the 14-day manhunt to a close.
He escaped from Chester County Prison in Pocopson on Aug 31. For 10 days, law enforcement focused its manhunt efforts on Longwood Gardens, where he was spotted at night on camera footage multiple times.
“Longwood Gardens wishes to express our deepest gratitude to law enforcement, authorities, and government officials for their tireless work in apprehending Danelo Cavalcante,” said Patricia Evans, spokesperson for Longwood Gardens.
“We are grateful for the peaceful conclusion and thank all those involved in the search for their unwavering dedication. We look forward to our community returning to normal activity and look forward to welcoming guests back to the serenity and beauty of our gardens.”
Another resident, Robin Marcello Lubitsky, former Chester County clerk of courts said, “I am extremely grateful to our law enforcement and their K-9s.
“I will continue to pray for the victims’ friends and family. The residents of Chester County came together to support one another during an event that we, hopefully, will not have to face ever again.
“We should always remain aware of our surroundings, even in places where we feel the most comfortable.”
Appreciative businesses
In Unionville, Farmer & Co. donated coffee to law enforcement at the command center throughout the episode.
“It’s had a really big impact on Chester County,” said Jessie Mooberry, owner of Farmer & Co., “with those who felt unsafe in their home and had to leave — to those who hunkered down and didn’t sleep very well for 13 (nights).”
During this experience, Mooberry has also been inspired “to see the community come together and take care of one another,” she said.
Meanwhile at Landhope Farms in Willowdale, East Marlborough, customers were abuzz with news of the end of the manhunt.
“How much did this cost us?” asked Alex Hundt of London Grove.
“Thank God,” said Jex Campbell. “I feel safe again.”
“I’m glad he’s caught,” added Rebecca Shelton.
“Our community really banded together,” Campbell added.
On Tuesday morning, Landhope provided breakfast to law enforcement stationed at the state police command center at Po-Mar-Lin.
“Landhope Farms has been a mainstay at Routes 82 and 926 in Unionville for a long time and we are glad that we have been here through the hunt for the escaped prisoner,” said Dennis McCartney, director of operations for Landhope. “We have enjoyed being a stop for the state troopers and local law enforcement.”
McCartney said the Kennett Square-Unionville area “is a united community.”
Officials react
The efforts of every single law enforcement officer have been stellar, especially given the intense weather conditions that they experienced during the two-week search, said Chester County Commissioner Marian Moskowitz.
“The logistics at the command center were impressive, and I also thank the county’s department of emergency services and sheriff’s office staff for their efforts,” Moskowitz stated. “Even before the manhunt was over, we were reviewing many aspects of this incident, making some immediate security changes at the prison, and working through more permanent modifications to bolster security.”
“One key lesson learned relates to the emergency communication process, and we are preparing very specific messages for all county residents to let them know the differences in emergency communication levels, and how they can ensure they have the most up to date information registered for those emergency messages.”
Wednesday morning, residents received a reverse 911 call informing them that Cavalcante had been captured.
“Like everyone, Kennett Township is thrilled to see that Cavalcante was apprehended without injury to law enforcement officials or area residents. The professionalism of the search was incredible, and we are proud of the hard work of all first responders to keep our communities safe as he was brought back into the criminal justice system,” said Eden Ratliff, township manager for Kennett Township.
“We would like to thank and congratulate everyone that was involved with the search including the Pennsylvania State Police, Border Patrol, and other federal partners. In addition, we want to thank those who were involved but seldom named. This includes the tireless efforts of the Longwood Fire Company who provided logistical support, and Kennett Township Police who provided on the ground support to the search crews and tactical teams,” Ratliff added.
“A search of this magnitude requires assistance from many different sources, and we are proud of the commitment and professionalism shown by our local first responders,” he said. “Investing in emergency services is a critical role of local government and one that Kennett Township takes seriously. The escape and pursuit of Cavalcante is a recent example of why communities need to be prepared with resources to respond to emergencies prior to them occurring. Professional police, fire, and emergency medical services at the local level are a critical ingredient to having a safe community where all can live, work, play, and prosper.”
Elaine DiMonte, chairwoman of the Pocopson Township supervisors, said there was a huge sense of relief in the community.
“This manhunt had a significant impact on all Pocopson residents and their sense of security and safety. Pocopson Township has questions regarding prison operations and security that it will continue to work cooperatively with Chester County officials to have addressed for residents,” DiMonte said.
“We are pleased to hear that Chester County officials are already undertaking reviews of prison security, as well as communication protocols to nearby residents, in order to keep our local citizens safer, and more informed. At a local level, this process has been a good reminder of the importance of cooperation between law enforcement and residents.”
There were similar thanks from Neil Lovekin, manager for East Marlborough Township.
Lovekin said that Sgt. Kevin Urbany led the East Marlborough’s recapture efforts. He added that Kennett Fire and the EMS Regional Commission continues to provide exemplary service shared by three fire companies: Longwood, Kennett and Po-Mar-Lin.
Longwood Fire Company
A.J. McCarthy, chief of the Longwood Fire Company in Kennett Township was also relieved that the manhunt was over.
“First responders are trained to work in environments with hazards, but in this situation, they had to constantly maintain a heightened state of awareness of this extra level of danger. It added an element out of the normal for us. Our crews in station had to be extra vigilant to ensure bay doors were closed after going en route to calls and to make sure — since Longwood Fire Company was in the perimeter — that doors were locked,” the fire chief said.
“The bigger impact was to our volunteers and staff at Longwood Fire Company. On top of providing service — every day at least four times a day, we sent crews out to ensure the troops on the ground were nourished and cared for,” McCarthy said, adding: “Our EMS unit provided staging for any potential medical emergencies. One of our EMS lieutenants even supported the effort in his capacity as a tactical medic. I want to thank them and their families for the sacrifices they made through this response.”
McCarthy said that events like these — while painful and exhaustive — help show and remind people of the caliber of emergency services in southern Chester County.
“Our crews don’t do this for praise, but that does not mean they don’t wholeheartedly deserve it,” the chief said. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of my team. I also want to thank the families and the police officers who showed gratitude and appreciation for our efforts.”
McCarthy said the next community town hall on the work of local first responders in the region would be postponed considering recent happenings. It had been scheduled for Sept. 14.
