BUTLER TWP — A man recently charged in a car wash burglary has been arrested, and he and his girlfriend have now been charged for their alleged involvement in an incident at a second car wash.

According to Butler Township police, Stephen M. Rausch, 37, of Jackson Township, was arrested Saturday by the Allegheny County Sheriff's department. He is being held in Butler County Prison on two separate bonds that total $20,000.

Township police had issued an arrest warrant for Rausch after charging him last week with felony counts of burglary, among other charges, after he allegedly broke and stole a money machine from the wall of Ritenour Car Wash on Evans City Road.

The criminal complaint filed with those charges referenced a second car wash incident involving theft in which Rausch and his girlfriend Melinda Patton, 33, of Jackson Township, were suspects.

“The hold-off was for the co-conspirator,” said township Det. Tyler Collins, who signed the charging documents. “That's why there was a delay on the other charges against Rausch.”

The pair were charged Wednesday in a theft at Morgan's Car Wash on New Castle Road, which includes multiple misdemeanor charges. However, only Rausch has been charged with misdemeanor theft.

Rausch allegedly struck the Ritenour Car Wash around 6 a.m. Jan. 24, using tools to pull a money machine off the wall and take it with him.

In court documents for the new charges, police said security camera footage showed Patton driving a tan van into the car wash around 11:44 p.m. Jan. 24.

Police said the van was registered in Patton's name, and they also identified Rausch as he exited the vehicle from the passenger seat.

“Rausch is viewed breaking into the industrial vacuum Carpet Wizard, and in doing so damaged it,” said Collins in the affidavit.

The affidavit also noted that Patton remained in the driver's seat about 20 feet away from the activity.

“After damaging the car wash property and failing to get into the money box, Rausch and Patton left in the Mazda van,” said Collins in the affidavit.

While investigating both incidents, Collins made contact with a Zelienople police officer, who allegedly saw the two different vehicles used in each of the incidents at Rausch's home on Magill Road in Jackson Township.

According to documents, detectives found tools used in both incidents in vehicles on Rausch's property, including a “chisel with orange grip handle” that was seen being used at Morgan's Car Wash.

“I also spoke with Melinda Patton,” said Collins in the affidavit. “Patton confirmed she drove Stephen to Morgan's Car Wash on Jan. 24, just before midnight.”

While Rausch is currently in jail on felony charges related to the first case, Patton has not been arrested because she has been charged only with misdemeanors.

Rausch is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing at 10:15 a.m. Thursday before District Judge Kevin P. O'Donnell. A preliminary hearing date for Patton has not been set.