CRANBERRY TWP — A burglary ring that was alleged to have stolen more than 300 items from new and unfinished homes in upscale housing plans in four counties has been broken up by state police.

Seven of the nine men and women allegedly involved appeared today before District Judge Dave Kovach for preliminary hearings. All seven waived the charges, and will have another hearing in February in county court.

None of the defendants are from Butler County.

Police Detective Joseph Hanny of Ohio Township, Alleghney County, said four of the individuals are accused of stealing appliances, cabinets, tools, flooring, heating and air conditioning units and other new items from homes in Butler, Allegheny, Westmoreland and Washington counties.

Those four allegedly would then sell the merchandise to the other five defendants, who, authorities said, knew the items were stolen. The suspects also are accused of returning 74 items, mainly construction materials and tools, to Home Depot stores for refunds.

Hanny said investigators believed that the purpose of the ring was to get money for heroin.