BUTLER TWP — A Butler man is headed for court on charges stemming from a five-store, three-hour shoplifting spree that covered more than 20 miles, township police said.

Investigators suspect Tyler J. Evans, 28, and an alleged accomplice schemed Saturday to take merchandise from stores in Butler and Cranberry township.

Evans and Matthew R. Miller, 25, of Mars planned to return the stolen items to the stores and redeem them for gift cards, according to court documents.

Ultimately, Butler Township police said, the cards would be sold for cash at pawn shops.

But the suspects’ alleged plan ended shortly before 5 p.m. when Adams Township police stopped them in a car containing hundreds of dollars in stolen merchandise.

Investigators said the crimes were caught on store surveillance video.

A three-time convicted shoplifter, Evans on Thursday waived his preliminary hearing on five felony counts of retail theft, as well as five counts of receiving stolen property and a lone count of conspiracy, all misdemeanors.

Retail theft is normally a summary or misdemeanor offense, but under state law it is upgraded to a third-degree felony regardless of the stolen property’s value when a defendant has at least two prior arrests for the same crime.

Evans remains in the Butler County Prison on $30,000 bail.

Miller’s preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 21. He is charged by summons with five misdemeanor counts each of retail theft and receiving stolen property, and conspiracy

Evans’ attorney, Patrick Casey, declined to comment on the allegations against his client, following court proceedings at District Judge Kevin O’Donnell’s office in Butler Township.

“These charges are very serious,” Casey said. “I want to review the video surveillance from each store.”

Butler Township police allege the defendants between 11:30 a.m. and 2:55 p.m. struck the following stores:

Butler Commons’ Walmart, Butler Township. Stolen were two Nintendo Wii controllers, Braun razor cartridge and Samsung Galaxy cell phone cover worth a combined $159.87.

Rite Aid, Pointe Plaza, Butler Township. Stolen were dietary supplements valued at $119.98.

Sam’s Club, Moraine Pointe Plaza, Butler Township. Stolen were anti-virus software program valued at $159.96.

Lowe’s, Cranberry Township. Stolen was a grinder wheel valued at $89.98.

Home Depot, Cranberry Township. Stolen were a drill bit and three circuit breaker switches worth a combined $113.38.