HAWLEY, PA— Two 16-year-olds were arrested on October 29 and have been charged with two felonies in the first degree: criminal conspiracy to commit aggravated assault as well as aggravated assault. 

According to Wayne County Chief Detective Peter Hower, officials launched an investigation after seeing a juvenile in a black ski mask get off a Wallenpaupack Area School District bus. Officials reviewed school bus security video, which captured a conversation between the masked individual and another juvenile on the bus, discussing “very specific detail plans to kill an adult male.” They planned to strangle the man using a computer cable. 

The two 16-year-olds got off the bus in Hawley, computer cable in hand, and went across the street from the intended victim, but “were scared away by a neighbor,” according to Hower's report. 

The two juveniles were charged as adults. Magisterial District Judge Ronald Edwards set bail at $30,000 unsecured for one, and $20,000 monetary for the other. Both are scheduled to appear at the Wayne County Courthouse on November 6 at 9 a.m.