HOPE - A terrifying ordeal for an elderly Hope resident Sunday ended in two arrests the following day.

Joseph Martin of Denver, Colo., and Marshall Dittrich of Danville, Calif., both 17, were arrested at 8:30 a.m. Monday after an all-night search and surveillance effort. The two are charged as adults with aggravated battery with the intent to commit robbery and are being held in the Bonner County jail.

The arrests ended an extensive manhunt for the two juveniles who are accused of assaulting Hope resident Vera Gadman, 66, in the Hope Peninsula after she offered to give them a ride.

The Bonner County Sheriff's Office maintained a constant presence in the area until they apprehended suspects, a gesture that promoted a sense of security according to locals.

"It was phenomenal what they did throughout the day," area resident Jane Holzer said.

Gadman was driving in Clark Fork when she picked up two young hitchhikers on Sunday. After driving them to the Hope Peninsula, the two requested that she help them find a camp site.

Gadman said she stopped her car at an undeveloped cul-de-sac, where the juveniles paused to examine a map, and suddenly attacked her with improvised bludgeons.

After sustaining several blows to the head and an attempted strangling, Gadman escaped her vehicle and ran away. The attackers followed and continued their assault until they decided to flee on foot.

"At this point, we speculate that since she was screaming for help, they got spooked and decided to just try to get away," BCSO Lt. Ror Lakewold said.

Meanwhile, Gadman reached the nearest available residence, where emergency services picked her up and transported her to Bonner General Hospital. Although her injuries were severe, hospital staff have released her.

"The extent of her injuries could have been life-threatening," Lakewold said. "She is very lucky."

After the assault, the sheriff's office immediately set up a presence in the Hope Peninsula. Officers moved from door-to-door informing people of the situations and asking for information. As evening fell, they maintained floodlights and checked on cars passing through the area.