STERLING, Va. (CBSDC/AP) — A 16-year-old has been charged with trying to sexually assault two girls, ages 14 and 12, who were walking toward Seneca Ridge Middle School in Sterling.

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office says the girls were walking to school Monday morning in the area of Seneca Ridge Drive and Augusta Drive when they were approached by the 16-year-old, who tried to grab and assault them. The two girls were able to free themselves, and a male teen who witnessed the incident chased the 16-year-old from the area.

As investigation led authorities to the suspect. Authorities did not identify the teen but said he is from Sterling. He is charged with two counts of abduction with intent to defile and two counts of aggravated sexual battery. He is being held at a juvenile detention center.

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