A 17-year-old, implicated in the tragic hit-and-run deaths of two teenage girls, is also suspected of orchestrating two “swatting” hoaxes targeting one of the victims’ homes in the weeks preceding the incident.

Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, both 17, lost their lives on Monday, September 29, when they were struck by a vehicle while riding an electric bike. The collision occurred at approximately 5:26 p.m., according to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office. Despite efforts to save them, the girls were pronounced dead after being transported to nearby hospitals. The suspect remains unnamed, as he is yet to face charges as an adult, according to Fox News Digital.

Brent Bramnick, representing the Niotis family, informed Fox News Digital that the suspect is believed to have executed two swatting pranks at the Niotis residence in Cranford, New Jersey, earlier in September. These incidents are reported to have occurred between the 1st and the 15th of the month.

Following the first swatting event, Bramnick noted that local authorities were notified. However, he mentioned there is no available information indicating that any formal investigation was pursued by the police.

The case involves the deaths of two teenagers in a hit-and-run, with allegations pointing to a 17-year-old male as the perpetrator.

In the second incident, Bramnick said police showed up at the family’s front doorstep, with the 17-year-old murder suspect parked in front of their house.

“She tells the police that there is the juvenile defendant over there,” Bramnick said.

After police talked with the now-murder suspect, Niotis’ mother, Foulla, was told by officers that the juvenile would be released to his father, Bramnick said.

A memorial was set up for Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas. (FOX 5)

After the two incidents, Bramnick said the Niotis family wants to know “what went on?”

“What investigation, if any, went on after all that the family reported and all the information that the police had in their possession. That’s the question. So we need those questions answered,” Bramnick said. “And that’s why we’re involved, because we’re doing our own investigations to try to get to the bottom of those questions.”

The driver of the car, from Garwood, New Jersey, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Police said the suspect was driving a 2021 black Jeep Compass at the time of the crash.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Union County Prosecutor’s Office Public Information Officer Lauren Farinas said that the suspect was detained after the incident for questioning, but released.

“Shortly after the incident on Monday, Sept. 29, the suspect was detained and questioned by law enforcement officers. The suspect was subsequently released pending further investigation. Officers then arrested the suspect on Wednesday morning, Oct. 1, after complaints were approved for two counts of first-degree murder,” Farinas wrote.

The 17-year-old is currently in custody, she added.

Foulla Niotis becomes emotional while speaking about her daughter’s death.  (Fox News)

Foulla Niotis told Fox News previously that the suspect “planned” the attack and thought he was “untouchable” because he had relatives working in law enforcement.

She said that local police didn’t take action when they reported the suspect to law enforcement after he was allegedly stalking Maria.

“They should have done a lot. They didn’t do anything,” Niotis said of local law enforcement. “They didn’t do anything to help my baby.”

“I want justice for Maria and Isabella. That’s what I want,” she added.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Cranford Police Department for comment.