Two boys will face criminal charges in adult court stemming from a suspected drug rip-off attempt last month in Butler, authorities said.

City police on Friday charged the suspects, 16 and 17 years old, in Butler County juvenile court.

However, it was later learned that the youths should have been charged as adults since a gun was used in the alleged crime, Doug Ritson, chief county probation officer, said Monday.

Under state law, cases of juveniles age 15 and older accused of committing a violent crime with a deadly weapon are automatically directed to adult court.

The older boy from Buffalo Township was shot in an arm during the altercation and had to be treated at a Pittsburgh hospital, police said.

District Judge Pete Shaffer on Monday arraigned the defendants on at least two felonies each.

Because they are minors, they are at the Jefferson County Juvenile Detention Center in Ohio, pending their preliminary hearings at Shaffer’s office.

The Butler Eagle is not identifying the teens because of their ages.

Police said they believe the boys on Nov. 18 planned to rob Charles G. Petredis Jr., 32, of Butler, who had allegedly agreed to sell marijuana to them.

When Petredis arrived for the alleged drug deal in the 600 block of East Brady Street, court documents said, the younger boy of Butler punched the man. The older boy jumped out of a garage and also punched and kicked Petredis.

The 16-year-old pointed a pistol at the man and demanded the marijuana and any money he had.

“A struggle between the three ensued,” according to a police report, “and Petredis, fearing for his life, curled up in a ball on the ground to protect himself.”

While on the ground, Petredis recounted that he felt what he thought was the pistol pressed against his temple.

“He was then struck by something, possibly being pistol whipped,” the report said, “and the pistol fired.”

The man and both boys fled. Police were called for the reported gunshot.

Later, officers learned that the 17-year-old had been shot in his right forearm and was hiding at his younger accomplice’s home.

Police said they found the older boy at the house. They also recovered a .22-caliber revolver there.

The 17-year-old was taken to Butler Memorial Hospital and later taken to a Pittsburgh hospital.

Police said both youths were arrested Friday. Each is charged with attempted robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery, both felonies.

The 16-year-old also is charged with two other felonies — aggravated assault and possession of a firearm by a minor. Additionally, he is charged with possession of an instrument of crime, simple assault and reckless endangerment.

Although the youths face charges in adult court, that could change, Ritson noted.

In Pennsylvania, when a minor is charged in adult court, his attorney can petition a judge to have the case tried in juvenile court. The prosecution can oppose the petition, but the judge decides whether to grant the petition.

It was not immediately known if the suspects have attorneys.

Meanwhile, police also charged Petredis in the case.

When officers arrived, they found him in his car in an alley. The police saw a rolled-up $100 bill on a tray with white powder in the center console. There also was a strong odor of marijuana in the vehicle.

Petredis initially told police that a man stopped him asking for help to open a garage door. He eventually admitted to the attempted drug deal when confronted, police said.

Investigators later got a search warrant for his vehicle and found marijuana, a 9 mm handgun loaded with 15 rounds, and two bags containing 30 white pills, one of which had Vicodin written on it.

The seized marijuana weighed 195 grams, according to court documents.

Petredis is charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility, both felonies, and possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor.

He is free on $30,000 bail while awaiting his preliminary hearing Dec. 21.