More charges have been filed against five teenagers who attempted to break into a Lawrence County home the morning of Jan. 22. Police claim the teens knew that someone was home and were planning to commit a strong-arm, home-invasion robbery.

State police in New Castle on Thursday filed charges of criminal conspiracy to commit robbery and attempted robbery against Darrell T. Horton, 18; Michael J. Ortiz, 18; a 17-year-old; and two 16-year-olds, all of New Castle. The charges are in addition to charges of criminal conspiracy to commit burglary and attempted burglary, which were filed Jan. 22.

The teens attempted to break into a Washington Township home wearing hoods, bandanas and latex gloves, according to police and the homeowner. The homeowner kept receiving hang-up calls that morning and then received a call from his neighbor telling him that she saw a car dropping off several men in hoods with scarves and they were circling his wooded property.

When the homeowner looked outside, he said, he saw them approaching his home through the trees. He went onto his porch with a gun, locking the door behind him, and had his son call 911.

He yelled for the teens to come out of the woods and they scattered. The homeowner said he caught Ortiz and held him at gunpoint until police arrived. Police said they caught the other teens nearby.

The homeowner said he knew one of the teens, having mentored him several years ago and recently he and his family invited the teen to their home for dinner.

Horton and Ortiz were arraigned Thursday on the new charges before District Justice David Rishel and were returned to Lawrence County Jail after failing to post $2,500 bond, police said. Horton remained jail Friday evening, but Ortiz was no longer there, a jail spokesperson said.