BUTLER TWP — Two charges were withdrawn, but many more were waived to court Thursday for a Jackson Township man accused of burglarizing two township car washes.

Stephen M. Rausch, 37, appeared through a video conference call for two back-to-back preliminary hearings conducted Thursday before District Judge Kevin O'Donnell.

Attorney John Daller appeared in court for his client's defense, but he did not comment on the day's proceedings.

Two felony charges were withdrawn in the first case, in which police allege Rausch in late January tried to break into a money box at Ritenour Car Wash on Evans City Road, and, when failing to do so, ripped it from the wall and stole the box itself.

Assistant District Attorney Ben Simon asked for the withdrawal of one felony burglary count and one felony criminal trespass count.

“There are defenses raised in the statute itself that if the facility is open to the public, that's an absolute defense,” Simon said. “He was originally licensed or privileged to be there.”

However, Rausch waived his right to a preliminary hearing on the other charges in the case, which include felony counts of criminal mischief, theft and receiving stolen property and three misdemeanors.

“That is more in line with the charges we kept,” Simon said.

Rausch also waived his right to a preliminary hearing for the second case, in which he is accused of burglarizing Morgan's Car Wash on New Castle Road the same night he allegedly stole from the Ritenour Car Wash.

In the second case, Rausch has been charged with four misdemeanors, including theft and criminal mischief.

Despite the withdrawal, Simon asked for the bond to remain the same.

Rausch is in Butler County Prison on a combined bond of $20,000, and he next will appear April 13 in the Butler County Court of Common Pleas for both cases.