Police capture Reading teen who escaped Berks youth detention center [updated]

David Mekeel, Reading Eagle, Pa.
Updated ·2 min read
1

One of two juvenile offenders who escaped from the Abraxas Academy youth detention facility in New Morgan has been captured, according to police.

Tyler Lutz, 18, of Reading, was taken into custody Monday night in Tullytown, Bucks County, troopers said.

State police said Lutz was apprehended at about 8:30 p.m. after a Tullytown police officer spotted him at a local carnival attempting to blend in with the carnival’s employees. He was taken into custody without incident.

Lutz was arraigned late Monday in front of Bucks County District Judge Joseph Falcone on an escape charge. He was placed in Bucks County Correctional Facility after being unable to post $750,000 bail.

Lutz was one of two teens to escape the detention center at about 4 p.m. on Saturday.

The other escapee, Dustin Lomas, 16, of Bristol Township, Bucks County, remains at large and is wanted on escape charges.

The duo escaped the secure facility by climbing over a perimeter fence, according to state police from the Reading station, who are handling the investigation.

A couple of hours passed as Abraxas staff searched the property to confirm the escape before area police were notified. Police from southern Berks, including the Caernarvon and Robeson township departments, searched the area but did not find the pair.

Both escapees were wearing blue hoodies, white T-shirts and blue sweatpants.

It was believed that Lomas, who turns 17 in a few days, also went to Bucks County, troopers said.

Dustin Lomas is wanted after state police said he escaped from Abraxas Academy in New Morgan on July 6. (Courtesy of Pennsylvania State Police)

Both were housed in the Abraxas habitual offenders unit, which is a lower security grading than the secure unit housing the most dangerous offenders, Adams said.

The district attorney said Monday that he’s glad to have a facility in Berks County in which to house juvenile offenders who need to be detained.

Still, Adams said he’s concerned about the security, as this is the second time in less than a year that teens have breached the fence.

On Sept. 18, 2023, nine juvenile offenders escaped after causing a disturbance in the detention facility. They didn’t get far, and all were captured by early the next morning.

Adams said the September escapees went under a fence, while the latest escaped by climbing over.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Lomas should call 610-655-4911, investigators said.

Tips can be made via Crime Alert Berks County’s anonymous tip line, 877-373-9913. Tips can also be sent via text, using the keyword “alert berks,” to 847411. Crime Alert will pay a cash reward for information leading to an arrest.