CHICORA — An apparent fallout between two alleged accomplices in a theft case landed one of the suspects in even more trouble with the law.

Matthew J. Walker, 21, of Center Township on Tuesday waived his preliminary hearing at the office of District Judge Lewis Stoughton in Chicora stemming from the latest charges against him.

State police on July 1 arrested Walker one day after they say he gave a crude middle finger gesture and spit in the face of Stephen S. Schweiger Jr., 22, of Butler outside Stoughton’s office.

The two men are co-defendants along with Shawn M. Wiles, 19, of Fairview in the suspected theft of more than 500 pounds of scrap metal and other property in May at Soose’s Auto Wrecking and Salvage in Center Township.

The three men showed up June 30 at Stoughton’s office for their preliminary hearings on theft and other charges in connection with the alleged May crime.

According to court documents, Schweiger, although a defendant in the case, was also going to testify against Walker as a prosecution witness.

The hearings for all three men were eventually postponed and rescheduled for later this month.

After leaving the office, Walker lashed out at Schweiger, police said. Walker fled on foot and troopers could not find him following a search of the area.

He was arrested the next day on charges of retaliation against a witness, simple assault and disorderly conduct. He was placed in the Butler County Prison on $20,000 bail.

Walker on Tuesday appeared again at Stoughton’s office for his hearing in the alleged assault case.

This time he opted to give up his right to the hearing, and waived to court the lesser charges of simple assault and disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors.

In exchange, prosecutors withdrew the retaliation charge, a felony. Stoughton also agreed to reduce Walker’s bail to $5,000.