CENTER TWP — A suspected heroin addict is accused of stealing nearly $8,000 worth of jewelry while visiting her grandmother this year.

Sarah E. Archer, 26, of Butler and three friends later sold the stolen property for a fraction of its value and used the proceeds to buy drugs, according to court documents.

Preliminary hearings are pending against all four suspects after state police last week filed felony cases against each.

In addition to Archer, charged with theft, conspiracy and receiving stolen property are Carrie L. Meier, 32, and Audrey M. McKivigan, 24, both of Butler, and Harold D. Wilson Jr., 22, of Buffalo Township.

Police began investigating the case in February after the victim discovered several pieces of gold and diamond jewelry missing from her home on Pinewood Lane in Center Township.

The homeowner suspected Archer, her granddaughter, who had spent the night at the house Feb. 24.

The victim told investigators that she knew Archer was a heroin addict and was giving the defendant “one last chance at spending the night,” documents said.

Archer’s alleged accomplices also stayed over at the house that same night.

Police suspect the defendants left the next day with the victim’s jewelry, valued at $7,920.

During the investigation, troopers learned that Meier on Feb. 25 sold three jewelry pieces at a Center Township gold store for $142. Police later recovered those items at the store.

Investigators eventually spoke to Archer and McKivigan, who admitted the theft and implicated the others. They said the money was used to buy 24 bags of heroin.