Four handguns, two rifles and a crossbow were among the items stolen during a vehicle break-in spree that had plagued Jefferson and Winfield townships since last fall.

State police believe they have solved the case.

Investigators suspect 31-year-old Nicholas J.R. Oesterling of Jefferson Township targeted unlocked vehicles and took whatever he could grab easily.

The crime, known as “car shopping” by police, allegedly netted Oesterling thousands of dollars.

He used the loot to swap for quick cash or as a straight-up trade for heroin, investigators said.

Police on Thursday filed a stack of criminal complaints against Oesterling, who is in the Lawrence County Jail on felony charges that he sold two of the guns he had stolen in Butler County to a police informant.

Oesterling this afternoon was to be taken before District Judge Sue Haggerty in Saxonburg for arraignment in connection with the vehicle break-ins.

He confessed last month to the crime spree on a jail house interview, investigators sad. He acknowledged that he used the cover of night to break into vehicles left unlocked.

“Oesterling related that he was using heroin during this time,” according to court documents.

He recounted how he sold the stolen items, including the handguns, to help feed his drug habit, police said.

Oesterling is charged with these thefts:

• Caldwell Drive in Jefferson Township on Oct. 15 — a Taurus Judge revolver, Pennsylvania lottery tickets and currency, valued at a combined $425

• Critchlow Lane in Jefferson Township between Oct. 23 and 25 — a 5-gallon gas can valued at $25

• Golden City Road in Jefferson Township between Oct. 26 and 28 — a JC Higgins .22-caliber rifle and currency, valued at a combined $360

• Marwood Road in Winfield Township on Oct. 26 or 27 — a Taurus PT25 -pistol, valued at $250

• Victory Road in Jefferson Township on Oct. 28 — a Ruger .38/.357-caliber pistol and currency, valued at a combined $440

• Great Belt Road in Jefferson Township on Oct. 31 — a leather purse and currency, valued at a combined $30

• Bicker Road in Winfield Township on Nov. 1 — a Barnett PBI crossbow and an Apple iPod, valued at a combined $600

• Great Belt Road in Winfield Township on Nov. 1 or 2 — an 18-inch aluminum rim with a Goodyear tire valued at $200

• Saxonburg Road in Jefferson Township on Nov. 2 — $100 in currency

• North Pike Road in Jefferson Township on Dec. 9 or 10 — a Smith & Wesson .38 Special revolver, a pair of Red Wing boots and currency, valued at a combined $1,125

• Henschel Acres in Winfield Township on Dec. 30 — a Kimber Montana .280-caliber rifle with Trijicon scope valued at $1,870.

Meanwhile, Oesterling, is awaiting trial in Lawrence County in the felony gun selling case. He is jailed there on $30,000 bail.

New Castle police arrested him in that case following an undercover sting using an informant.

Police on Oct. 31 arranged a meeting between the informant and Oesterling in Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County, where the informant bought two stolen handguns from him for $150.

Oesterling in Lawrence County is charged with a half dozen felony weapons charges as well as receiving stolen property.

Because his extensive criminal record includes felony convictions, including burglary and trespass in Butler County, Oesterling is prohibited by state law from possessing firearms.