A group of people attempting to use thousands of dollars of counterfeit bills at Cranberry Township stores was part of a larger operation across several states, according to township police.

Police said the group would make purchases with counterfeit bills in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia and exchange the items in different states for legitimate currency.

A New York man was charged Friday, July 21, in connection with the group, one week after another man was arrested in Ross Township, Allegheny County, on similar charges.

Dahnty D. Munroe, 28, was charged Friday with felonies conspiracy, corrupt organizations, theft and forgery and misdemeanors conspiracy and possession of an instrument with criminal intent.

According to police, Munroe was one of five people passing thousands of dollars in counterfeit bills at Best Buy, Lowe’s, and Target stores in Cranberry Township.

On July 7, police said the group arrived in the Best Buy parking lot in two vehicles, a red Hyundai Kona and a white Jeep.

Police said Munroe and another man passed $1,550 in counterfeit bills at Best Buy on that date. Police said Munroe was in obvious communication with three others in the store, including Christopher. K. Aiken, 29, of Brooklyn, N.Y.

Police said Aiken attempted to use $600 in counterfeit bills at the Best Buy, but his transaction was denied.

The group was then seen at Lowe’s, where police said Munroe attempted to make a $1,350 purchase using counterfeit bills. The purchase also was denied, documents showed.

At the same time, a woman from the group made a purchase at Target with $500 in counterfeit bills, according to police.

Next, the group went to Target in Ross Township, Allegheny County. Police said Munroe and Aiken entered the store to return merchandise they had purchased in Ohio using counterfeit bills.

Both men were apprehended in the parking lot, but a third man fled police. Aiken was found in possession of $800 in forged currency, and $6,850 in counterfeit bills was found in the Jeep, police said.

Aiken was charged with felony forgery and misdemeanors criminal attempt of theft and possession of an instrument with criminal intent.

He was placed in Butler County Prison in lieu of $75,000 bail. His bail was decreased to $50,000 on Friday.

Documents showed both vehicles used by the group were rented in Virginia, and that they had receipts from purchases and returns throughout Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Police said the group spread out its returns and purchases to avoid detection.

Munroe’s preliminary hearing before District Judge Kevin Flaherty has not yet been scheduled.