Nine escape after riot at New Morgan juvenile detention facility

Nine juvenile offenders escaped Abraxas Academy in New Morgan Sunday night after a riot broke out in the detention facility, police said.

The riot broke out at around 8 p.m. State and local law enforcement eventually took back control of the facility, but nine people housed there were unaccounted for.

State and Caernarvon Township police are looking for nine males wearing white or grey shorts and shorts. The search is concentrated in the area of Interstate 176.

Early Monday morning Robeson Township police reported a confirmed sighting of at least three escapees in the area of Estate and Weaver roads. They broke into at least two cars. Police are asking residents in that area to check their cameras and vehicles.

Police are urging people throughout the Morgantown area to be vigilant, lock their homes and vehicles and call 911 immediately if they encounter any of the escapees.

The Twin Valley School District announced Monday morning that it is closing all schools and offices Monday as well as after-school and evening activities, including a scheduled school board meeting.

The private facility in New Morgan has a history of dealing with disturbances, most recently in July when police from numerous Berks County departments and state police from three counties responded to a riot there.

The search for the escaped juveniles follows just days after the capture of an escaped murderer who eluded Pennsylvania authorities for several days despite an extended manhunt nearby in Chester County..