Search continues for 2 escapees from youth detention center in southern Berks.

Steven Henshaw, Reading Eagle, Pa.
·2 min read

Two teens who escaped from the Abraxas Academy youth detention facility in New Morgan over the weekend remained at large as of Monday afternoon, authorities said.

Tyler Lutz, 18, of Reading and Dustin Lomas, 16, of the Levittown area in Bucks County are wanted on escape charges. Lutz has been charged as an adult because of his age.

The duo escaped the secure facility by climbing over a perimeter fence, state police from the Reading station said.

Tyler Lutz is wanted after state police said he escaped from Abraxas Academy in New Morgan on July 6.

A couple of hours passed as Abraxas staff searched the property to confirm the escape before area police were notified.

Dustin Lomas is wanted after state police said he escaped from Abraxas Academy in New Morgan on July 6.

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, has returned to the Levittown area, possibly with Lutz, troopers said. Both were housed in the habitual offenders unit, which is a lower security grading than the secure unit housing the most dangerous offenders, Berks County District Attorney John T. 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 at Abraxas based on the fact that it’s the second time in less than a year that teens have breached the fence by going under and over, respectively.

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 Lutz and 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.