In a shocking turn of events, Pennsylvania killer Danelo Cavalcante managed to escape from the Dougherty County Jail in Georgia. The escape occurred when Cavalcante overpowered a prison guard during a hospital visit, leaving law enforcement authorities scrambling to apprehend him. The search for the 36-year-old inmate, who faced multiple charges including burglary and criminal damage to property, is still ongoing.
According to the Albany Police Department, Cavalcante called his mother and stepfather, Trudy Sellars and Randy Williams, for assistance after his escape. However, instead of helping him elude capture, Sellars and Williams turned themselves in to the police. They now face charges of aiding and permitting another to escape lawful custody.
During the escape, Cavalcante accrued additional felonies for fleeing a police officer, robbery by force, and kidnapping. Sellars, who allegedly had no knowledge of her son’s escape, claimed that she picked him up because he had told her he had been released from the hospital. Police received a tip from a passerby who reported seeing a man matching Cavalcante’s description getting into a green vehicle.
A police pursuit ensued when officers spotted a green Pontiac GTA matching the description provided. Williams, the driver of the vehicle, initially began alternating his turn signals, claiming he was unsure of what the police wanted. Eventually, the vehicle was pulled over, and Cavalcante, who was in the back seat, ignored police orders and moved to the front. He then put the vehicle in drive and sped off, leaving Williams behind.
During the high-speed chase, Cavalcante reached speeds of up to 80 miles per hour and even drove into oncoming traffic in an attempt to evade capture. Concerned for the safety of Cavalcante’s mother, who was still in the vehicle, the police decided to terminate the pursuit. The car was later found abandoned, with Sellars still inside, while Cavalcante fled on foot through the woods.
Sellars and Williams have both been arraigned in Dougherty County Court and it remains unclear whether they have obtained legal representation. The authorities are continuing their search efforts to locate and apprehend Cavalcante, who is considered dangerous.
This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in maintaining the security of their facilities. Despite their best efforts, escape attempts like these can occur, putting the public at risk. The ongoing manhunt for Cavalcante highlights the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the need for constant vigilance in order to ensure public safety.
