Residents stay indoors and schools close as US police close in on armed fugitive

Police warned that Cavalcante was armed and not to approach him, and asked the public to call 911 if they see him

A law enforcement officer checks his weapon as the search for escaped prisoner Danelo Cavalcante continues (Matt Rourke/AP)

Residents of a suburban Philadelphia community locked themselves in their houses and at least one school district cancelled classes as authorities indicated they were closing in on a murderer who escaped from jail nearly two weeks ago.

Pennsylvania State Police posted on social media that the department was pursuing Danelo Souza Cavalcante in South Coventry Township, about 20 miles north of the Chester County jail, from which he escaped on August 31.