TEEN-AGE FUGITIVES SOUGHT IN CRIME CASE.

Byline: Cecilia Chan and Troy Anderson Staff Writer

The search continued Tuesday for suspects described by authorities as a teen-age ``Bonnie and Clyde.''

The teens are suspected of stealing a relative's Ford Explorer and botching two home-invasion robberies before fleeing, possibly to Mexico.

The 16-year-olds from Oak Park High School were described by authorities as teens without criminal histories. But police contend they broke into homes in a well-to-do Westlake Village neighborhood armed with two semiautomatic weapons stolen from the boy's uncle.

``The main thing is we want this to come to a peaceful end,'' said Detective Matthew Squire from the Malibu-Lost Hills sheriff's station. ``We don't understand their criminal activity and hopefully put this to an end before somebody gets hurt or they get hurt. The highlight of this whole investigation (is to) kind of wheel them in before they get hurt.''

Police described the girl as an honor student, though she had been suicidal, her family says. The boy, who lives with his uncle, had been upset about relocating from Oak Park to Agoura Hills and attending a new school, police said.

Police have had no contact with the teens, who they believe could be headed to the boy's mother in Ohio, or to Rosarito Beach, Mexico, where the boy had vacationed.

They believe the duo have access to some money, though not a lot. Only the girl has a driver's license.

``Those are just speculated points of destination,'' said Squire, who said he had been in contact with the boy's mother in Ohio, but she had not heard from her son. ``I don't know if any one is better than the other. If we had better information we certainly would notify local law enforcement in the area.''

A man and woman at the Agoura Hills home where the Explorer had been registered declined to comment.

The incident began Monday morning when the youths allegedly stole the Explorer from the boy's relatives' home at 5900 block of Saint Laurent Drive in Agoura Hills, said Malibu sheriff's Sgt. Dave Valentine. They also stole a Colt 45 and .22 caliber gun from the uncle, officials said.

At 11:05 a.m., authorities said, the youths entered a home through the bathroom window in the 31800 block of Saddle Tree Drive in Westlake Village - a posh neighborhood on a hill overlooking the city.

They later entered a second home in the 31600 block of Saddle Tree Drive, forced their way past the maid, but then were scared away by a golden retriever, officials said.

``It's a Bonnie and Clyde type of thing,'' Valentine said.

The teens had been friends who knew one another from a part-time job, police said.

A neighbor on Saddle Tree Drive said Monday the house on the 31600 block had been empty for several months before a family recently moved in, but the house alarm had gone off during the vacancy.

The boy is described as a 16-year-old Caucasian, 5 feet 9, 130 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing black sweats and a black Nike jacket.

The girl is described as a 16-year-old Caucasian, 5 feet 6, 140 pounds, with light brown or blond hair and hazel eyes. She was last seen wearing black jeans and a black pullover hooded sweat shirt.

They were last known to be driving a green 1998 Ford Explorer with license plate: 4AWB893.

Staff Writer Sylvia L. Oliande contributed to this report.