2 Youths Held in Murder of Forest Service Worker

Two teen-agers who walked away from juvenile custody were charged Thursday with murdering a Forest Service worker. Authorities said it appeared to be a case of robbery, not anti-government violence.

David Jack Wheeler, a 49-year-old engineer from Baker City, Ore., was shot Wednesday while working alone in the Payette National Forest. The suspects, one 16 and the other turning 18 today, were ordered held without bond on charges of first-degree murder and possession of a stolen vehicle. Their names were not disclosed. Authorities said they had Wheeler’s wallet.