Police say they've charged 20 people from western Pennsylvania in a shoplifting ring that targeted Lowe's home improvement stores in five counties. Police in Cranberry Township, Butler County, tell the Butler Eagle that the suspects face racketeering charges because they were allegedly acting as a corrupt organization.

Police say the Beaver County residents would steal items like power tools at one Lowe's store, and then return the items at other Lowe's stores for credit cards that can be redeemed at the stores. In all, police say about $28,000 worth of merchandise was stolen and returned between Feb. 9 and April 15. The stores targeted were in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence and Mercer counties.

-- Associated Press