SEATTLE - A West Seattle family was terrorized Friday by two men who jumped out from behind a dumpster and attempted to carjack the family's van at knifepoint as they arrived home, police said.

Both suspects fled the scene but were later caught, thanks to a quick response by Seattle police officers.

Investigators said the incident began at about 4:50 p.m. when a father, his adult daughter and her 9-year-old son arrived home and were parking their van in the 8400 block of 20th Avenue SW.

The father got out of the van to open the gate to their driveway. While the door was open, the two suspects emerged from behind the dumpster.

One of the men jumped into the driver's seat of the van, demanded the keys and ordered the daughter out of the van. But she refused to get out because her son was in the back seat.

The father saw what was going on and ran back to the van to help.

The man in the driver’s seat whipped out a large knife with a 10-inch blade and tried to stab the father as he fought with him.

Then the second suspect convinced the man in the driver's seat to flee the scene, and the two suspects fled through a nearby apartment complex.

Responding officers later spotted two men matching the description of the suspects walking in the 8600 block of Delridge Way SW.

When officers approached, the two suspects fled over several fences and through several yards. The suspects were nabbed after a brief pursuit and detained.

After the victims positively identified both suspects, the men were arrested and later booked into the King County Jail for investigation of robbery, attempted kidnapping and assault - all felony charges.

The first suspect is a 21-year-old man and the second is a 19-year-old man.

An investigation continues.