13 September 2023 , 17:37
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Police officers were bizarrely caught on video today 'posing' for photos with an evil murderer they had just arrested after a massive 12-day manhunt.
The Pennsylvania Police Department have gone from being praised by their superiors today for the capture of murderer Danelo Cavalcante, to being slammed in the media after a team of officers was caught on video posing for lighthearted photos with the bloodied suspect in custody.
A video captured by a local station shows armed and uniformed officers dressed head to toe in camouflage and armed with their state-issued guns, placing Cavalcante in the middle, with his hand behind his back in handcuffs. The rest of the officers smiled for the photo.
During this morning's press conference, Lieutenant Colonel Bivens was asked about the event and supported their decision to pose for these photos, saying the team had 'worked hard' to catch this criminal, who broke out of jail 12 days ago.
Danelo Cavalante is led away by law enforcement officers (AP)“You know, I'm aware that there was a photo op that was taken out there. Those men and women worked amazingly hard through some very trying circumstances," said Lieutenant Colonel Bivens, in response to the journalist's question.
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“They're proud of their work. I'm not bothered at all by the fact that they took a photograph with him in custody again. They're proud of their work. They kept the community safe. I say thanks to them and good job," he added, in a show of support.
Danelo Cavalcante was finally caught in a wooded area and bitten by a dog after a two-week chase, with officers spotted keen to take a smiling photo with the criminal (KYW/UNPIXS)“But was it appropriate?” continued to ask the journalist, but Lieutenant Colonel Bivens had already moved on to the next question.
There were other points during the press conference where officials had gone from simply praising the various agencies that participated in the capture of Cavalcante to almost defending the police department - even before anyone had voiced any criticism.
Right from the start, PA Governor Josh Shapiro launched the press conference with a statement of gratitude that emphasised that the police here had done their jobs in a threatening situation.
“I wanna say thank you. The dedicated law enforcement professionals from every level. Each and every day go out of their homes, leave their families, leave their loved ones to keep us safe. The public over the last 13 days has had a chance to see what excellence in law enforcement means. What true dedicated professionalism is all about," said Governor Shapiro.
Over the weekend, Cavalcante shaved his beard, stole a local dairy farm's van and visited the homes of two former work associates (WPVI/UNPIXS)
Officers lead convicted murderer Cavalcante to the back of a police car, where he's been before (WPVI/UNPIXS)Afterwards, Lieutenant Colonel Bivens got the podium where he detailed the arrest and capture of the criminal, telling the audience: “I hope that the public takes great pride in the technology in the canines and in all of the assets that were brought to bear here. We ask a lot of the public through their tax dollars to support the police, [and] to support law enforcement at every level.
Danelo Cavalcante looks into a Ring doorbell camera (Pennsylvania State Police Depart)“And they got a front-row seat here in Chester County and across Pennsylvania to see the extraordinary work not only these individuals do but the great technology we're able to bring to bear to ultimately capture dangerous suspects like this. The public should take great pride in that."
The search for Cavalcante began when he escaped from the Chester County Prison on August 31 as he awaited transfer to a state prison. He reportedly scaled a wall by crab-walking up it in the recreation yard, then made his way through razor wire before sprinting across a roof and jumping to the ground.
Cavalcante, 34, was booked into the prison just weeks prior for the 2021 slaying of his then-girlfriend, 33-year-old Deborah Brandao. Cavalcante had a history of domestic violence against Deborah.
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A booking photo of escaped convicted murderer Danelo Souza Cavalcante (AP)It was reported that he became enraged one night when she threatened to go public about the charges he was facing in Brazil. Cavalcante threw her to the ground and stabbed her more than 30 times in front of her two children. He is also wanted in his native Brazil in a separate killing in 2017.
Both times, he was able to flee the scene. He escaped Brazil and avoided charges by hiding out on a Brazilian ranch and apparently working there until he disappeared one day. The vast farmland provided the perfect cover to evade authorities. After the 2021 stabbing of his Brandao, Cavalcante also fled, making it all the way to Virginia before he was caught and thrown in prison.