Escaped Killer Captured in Eagles Shirt, Sparks Meme Frenzy
The prison escape of convicted murderer Danelo Cavalcante became a nationwide story as the country became enthralled with the massive effort to capture the fugitive. This morning, after a two-week manhunt, Cavalcante is in custody after police surrounded him in the township of South Coventry. But his arrest isn't the only reason Philadelphians are rejoicing today.
Cavalcante was put in handcuffs while wearing a dirty Philadelphia Eagles hoodie. Naturally, the internet had a field day with the classically Philly conclusion to what was a chilling search for a dangerous killer.
"Searching for a specific dangerous asshole wearing an Eagles sweatshirt in Pennsylvania in September can’t be easy," one Eagles fan wrote.
Searching for a specific dangerous asshole wearing an Eagles sweatshirt in Pennsylvania in September can’t be easy.
— AF (@ArkansasFred) September 13, 2023
Cavalcante escaped from Chester County Prison by scaling its brick walls on Aug. 31. He was serving a life sentence for stabbing his ex-girlfriend to death in front of her children in 2021. Given the grisly nature of his crimes, Philly residents wouldn't exactly take kindly to him if they crossed paths on the street. One social media user remarked that him wearing an Eagles sweatshirt might have saved his life at the end of the search.
Danelo Cavalcante wearing Eagles gear may be the only reason he was captured alive ???? pic.twitter.com/Y5ZV8FeKk4
— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) September 13, 2023
Cavalcante struggled to find basic necessities over the past two weeks and attempted to fly under the radar by shaving his face in an attempt to change his appearance. It's likely he might have found the Eagles hoodie during his escape and put it on to conceal his identity. Where might have he gotten it from? One Philadelphian joked that the killer pulled it off someone's backyard clothesline.
The guy in Chester County who left his Eagles hoodie out to hang dry in the backyard watching the news this morning pic.twitter.com/FRnG92I1yi
— A (@aidan_34_powers) September 13, 2023
sad to imagine at least one person is watching this Danelo Cavalcante press conference and thinking "am i going to get my eagles hoodie back?"
— erikgerm.bsky.social (@HugeFrigginArms) September 13, 2023
The story called to mind one particular local story from 2019. A burglar was taken into custody by authorities, and when asked by news reporters asked if he had anything to say, the handcuffed man simply replied, "Go Eagles."
Danelo Cavalcante getting arrested in an Eagles shirt was the obvious natural conclusion to this saga if you're familiar with Philadelphia lore pic.twitter.com/ZVOM0zOEr6
— Chris OIIey (@chrisoIIey) September 13, 2023
Danelo Cavalcante’s first statement:
— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) September 13, 2023
pic.twitter.com/eC8i2gbZsj https://t.co/jCL1JjMuKQ
Manhunt guy took the "Go Eagles" guy's beer here. Sheesh. Happy he's locked back up pic.twitter.com/mWmrF6MnkD
— Brother Love (@MrRon_P) September 13, 2023
The team of police cut the sweatshirt off Cavalcante's body after he was put in handcuffs. In a press conference addressing his capture, Pennsylvania State Police revealed that it was actually a police dog that subdued Cavalcante, leaving him with a bite wound that was treated at the site. They reassured residents that he would be returned to a state prison to serve out the rest of his sentence.
Turns out the Eagles' triumph over the Patriots on Sunday isn't the only thing fans can celebrate.