Nine teenagers who escaped from a Pennsylvania juvenile detention center were all recaptured early Monday, less than 12 hours after they fled during a riot.
The teens - aged between 15 and 17 - fled just after 8 p.m. Sunday from Abraxas Academy in New Morgan, less than 15 miles from where convicted murderer Danilo Cavalcante was captured last week after two weeks on the run.
The latest escapees managed to get out by overpowering two staffers during a riot, Pennsylvania State Police spokesman David Boehm said early Monday.
"They were able to get the keys and then they were able to get out the side door, or one of the doors," Boehm said.
After getting through the fence surrounding the facility, likely by going under it, the fugitives tried to break into a car in the middle of the night.
"I don't know what alerted the homeowners, but they broke the window of the car, lights came on, and then they took off," the state police spokesperson said of the botched carjacking.
Four of the juveniles were collared before 6 a.m. on Oak Grove Road in New Morgan, about 4 miles from the juvenile detention center, reported the Reading Eagle.
Four others were caught around 6:30 a.m. The final escapee tried to flee into a field but was apprehended, officials said.
Several of them said they were tired and cold after spending the night on the run, Boehm said.
The teens were not identified.
The nearby Twin Valley School District had announced that all its schools and offices would be closed, and all after-school and evening activities would be canceled Monday "out of an abundance of caution."
Abraxas Academy is described as a "multi-service facility" with a “secure” treatment program for delinquent males between the ages of "14 to 18 in 9th grade or above," according to the facility's website.
This is the juvenile center's second riot in less than three months, according to WFMZ.
The previous rampage was reported on July 4 and involved some 50 teens who broke a water pipe, fire alarms and video surveillance equipment.
It took some 40 officers from multiple police departments five hours to subdue the rioters.
themes: Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania police search for teens who escaped from detention center amid 'riot'
Police in Pennsylvania are searching for several teens who escaped from a detention center after a “riot” broke out at the facility on Sunday night, authorities said.
The Pennsylvania State Police said they were working with multiple other law enforcement agencies in the search for nine juveniles who escaped from the Abraxas Academy in Morgantown, about 50 miles northwest of Philadelphia, at around 8 p.m. Sunday night.
By early Monday morning, four of the nine escapees had been taken into custody, leaving five still on the run, state police said in a social media post. The four who were found were located on Oak Grove Road, which appears to be about 5 miles away from the detention facility, at around 5:45 a.m. ET, police said.
Police had established a perimeter around Abraxas following the teens' escape."The escaped juveniles should be wearing gray pants or shorts and a gray shirt," they said, urging the public to "call 911 if you spot someone matching that description."
Police did not provide the ages of the escaped juveniles, but Abraxas Academy is described on the Abraxas Youth & Family Services website as providing specialized care for "delinquent male youth between the ages of 14 to 18 in 9th grade or above."
"Treatment at the Academy is for youth who demonstrate a consistent display of delinquent patterns through multiple placements, serious charges, and problematic behaviors. Youth are admitted to the Academy for either habitual offending behaviors or for a history of sexual offending behavior," the website states.
The Caernarvon Township Police Department said the escape unfolded after a “riot” broke out at Abraxas Academy.
State and local police responded to the incident and were able to take "back control of the juvenile detention center," but some juvenile offenders were reported to have fled the facility and were "on the run," the department said in a news release on its website.
Authorities have not provided any information on whether the escaped juveniles are considered dangerous.
Abraxas Academy is around 15 miles west of South Coventry Township, where convicted killer Danelo Cavalcante was captured on Wednesday after nearly two weeks on the run following his escape from a Pennsylvania prison.
The search for Cavalcante sparked international headlines before authorities were able to track him down using thermal heat technology, with a U.S. Border Patrol tactical unit dog ultimately pinning him down.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
9 teens escape during riot at Pennsylvania juvenile detention center: police report
Nine teenagers have escaped from a juvenile detention center in Pennsylvania after a riot broke out at the facility, according to police.
The riot happened at Abraxas Academy in Morgantown at around 8 p.m. on Sunday, the Caernarvon Township Police Department said in a statement.
State and local law enforcement reported the nine offenders fled the facility after they had taken "back control of the juvenile detention center."
"The escaped juveniles should be wearing gray pants or shorts and a gray shirt," according to Pennsylvania State Police Trooper David Beohm.
State police shared they are working with Caernarvon authorities "to resolve the matter."
A perimeter has been "established around Abraxas," and law enforcement is asking the public to call 911 if they see someone matching the description of the teens on the run.
Police are searching the area with helicopters, drones, and K9 units.
There were reports of injuries to staff members of the Academy during the riot, according to ABC 6.
It is unknown how many juveniles were involved in the riot and the extent of the damage in the facility.
The Post reached out to the Pennsylvania State Police for comment.
The Academy is 14 miles west of where convicted murderer Danilo Cavalcante was found in South Coventry Township on Wednesday after a lengthy two-week manhunt.
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On the evening of July 4th, around 50 teens had started mayhem at the detention center and had broken a water pipe, fire alarms, and "video surveillance equipment," Trooper Beohm told the outlet following the riot.
"You have some kids in there that are in there for some pretty serious stuff," Beohm said.
It took around 40 law enforcement personnel from various police departments five hours to end the July anarchy and bring the facility back to order.
"I think it could've been much worse for both law enforcement and those kids," stated Beohm following the Independence Day chaos.
Two juveniles suffered minor injuries, and one staff member suffered a concussion.
Tyler Ali, a 16-year-old resident at the Academy and main instigator of the mayhem, was charged as an adult for his role in the July riot, according to the outlet.
Ali was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, riot, disorderly conduct, and related offenses, according to Berks County District Attorney John Adams.
The Juvenile Center in Morgantown is about 49 miles northwest of Philadelphia.
Massive riot at Pennsylvania detention center leads to escape of 9 juveniles
In a shocking turn of events, nine teenagers have managed to escape from the Abraxas Academy, a juvenile detention center located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania. The escape occurred on Sunday night after a riot broke out at the facility. The Caernarvon Township Police Department issued a statement confirming the incident and stating that law enforcement had regained control of the facility following the escape.
The exact details of the riot and the extent of the damage caused at the facility are still unknown. However, reports from ABC 6 suggest that there were injuries sustained by staff members during the chaos. It is unclear how many juveniles were involved in the riot, but the authorities are actively working to resolve the situation.
..... Law enforcement agencies have established a perimeter around the Abraxas Academy and are urging the public to report any sightings of individuals matching the description.
In their efforts to locate the escaped juveniles, police have deployed helicopters, drones, and K9 units to search the surrounding area. ..... In July, around 50 teenagers caused mayhem at the detention center, resulting in the destruction of water pipes, fire alarms, and video surveillance equipment.
..... Tyler Ali, a 16-year-old resident at Abraxas Academy, was charged as an adult for his role in the incident. The charges against Ali include aggravated assault, simple assault, riot, disorderly conduct, and related offenses.
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The escape comes just weeks after the capture of convicted murderer Danilo Cavalcante, who had escaped from a prison in South Coventry Township after a two-week manhunt. The search for Cavalcante involved law enforcement from local, state, and federal agencies and spanned all of Chester County.
In light of the recent escape, authorities are urging residents in the vicinity of Abraxas Academy to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to 911 immediately. The Twin Valley School District, located approximately six miles from the facility, has yet to decide whether to open schools on Monday, prioritizing the safety of its staff and students.
It is clear that the escape of these nine juveniles poses a significant threat to the community. With law enforcement agencies working diligently to apprehend them, residents are urged to stay informed and cooperate with any instructions provided by the authorities. As the situation unfolds, further updates will be provided.