Local charges may be the beginning of a lengthy list of criminal proceedings for two men accused of smash-and-grab vehicle thefts in Cranberry Township.

Police filed charges Saturday against Derek L. Washington, 33, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Le Terrence Johnson, 30, of Atlanta, including felony counts of device fraud and identity theft, as well as misdemeanor counts of theft from a vehicle, possessing stolen property and criminal mischief.

According to the affidavit, numerous police departments contacted Cranberry Township Police, notifying them of similar thefts, and that identification of the suspects would likely lead to additional charges from other jurisdictions.

Washington and Johnson were arraigned Saturday by District Judge Amy Marcinkiewicz and placed in Butler County Prison in lieu of $250,000 and $200,000 bail, respectively.

Police said suspicion of the pair began after officers investigated a series of vehicle break-ins Aug. 17 in the Cranberry Township Community Park.

“The windows were smashed out of several vehicles to access the interior,” police said. “Most of the items (stolen) were wallets and purses that belonged to the victims.”

Cumulatively, about $735 worth of items were taken from the vehicles. Two people who said their bank and credit cards were stolen in the act reported more than $2,000 in fraudulent charges.

The purchases were made at Dollar General stores in Baden, Ambridge and Coraopolis, from which police received information and security footage.

Through the footage, they identified a silver Jeep Grand Cherokee that had been rented by Washington. Police also saw Washington and Johnson take turns buying prepaid Visa gift cards with the stolen cards.

On Aug. 18, Frazer Township Police attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the driver failed to stop.

“The vehicle fled, and a pursuit started,” police said, ultimately striking a patrol vehicle while fleeing and an officer was almost struck in the process.

Police said Frazer Township Police likely are filing their own charges related to that incident.

Cranberry Township Police were again called for similar break-ins Friday. This time, the act was caught on camera, and it showed a man resembling Johnson breaking the passenger window, grabbing a purse and leaving in a dark gray Chevrolet Trail Blazer, also rented by Washington.

Moon Township Police on Saturday spotted the vehicle in their area and arrested the two men.

“I was able to identify them as the males involved in the previous thefts and unauthorized bank card purchases,” police said.

Washington and Johnson are scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing Sept. 9 before District Judge Kevin Flaherty.