BUTLER TWP — A brain enhancement supplement, nicotine gum and cologne were some of the items targeted in a series of suspected fraudulent returns at a store in July.

Three men and a woman face hearings next month on charges stemming from the investigation. A fifth suspect, authorities said, died of an apparent drug overdose before Butler Township police completed the investigation.

Charged are Charles J. Smouse, 29, of Butler; Robert A. Schafer, 28, of Claysville, Washington County; and Charles J. Coy, 27, and Tasha E. Lutz, 28, both of Butler.

Police said they began their investigation July 23, after a loss prevention officer at the Walmart at Butler Commons shopping plaza stopped Smouse and Coy for an alleged bogus return of merchandise.

According to court documents, Smouse was seen placing eight items — including two boxes of Brain Armor, Nicorette gum and heartburn medication — into a shopping cart, which he took to the self-checkout area.

There, police said, he handed a bag with the unpaid-for items to Coy, who took them to the customer service desk. Coy is accused of exchanging the merchandise for an in-store gift card valued at $412.78.

A subsequent search of Smouse turned up a syringe in one of his pants pockets. He told police he has a “drug addiction problem,” documents said, “and uses the syringe to inject heroin.”

The store employee advised police that he was already investigating five prior similar alleged thefts involving Smouse. The store turned over video surveillance of those other incidents between July 17 and 21.

In three of the incidents, police said, Smouse allegedly teamed up with Schafer, in another one with Coy and in one with Lutz, all for ill-gotten Walmart gift cards.

A 39-year-old Butler man also was involved with Smouse in two of the incidents, according to documents. That suspect, however, died of an apparent overdose July 20 at his apartment and was never charged.

In all, police said, the value of the merchandise in the fraudulent return investigation totaled $1,903.81. The merchandise was predominantly Nicorette, cologne, razors, Brain Armor and over-the-counter medication.

Smouse is charged with six counts of theft by deception, five counts of conspiracy to commit theft by deception, and one count each of attempted theft by deception and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Schafer is charged with three counts of theft by deception and one count each of conspiracy to commit theft by deception and attempted theft by deception.

Coy is charged with two counts each of theft by deception and conspiracy to commit theft by deception.

Lutz is charged with theft by deception and conspiracy to commit theft by deception. All four defendants were charged by summons and face preliminary hearings Oct. 25.