Butler police seized dozens of empty stamp bags of suspected heroin, numerous syringes and other contraband following a short chase through the city late Sunday night.

The suspect, 22-year-old Anthony M. Ritchie of Butler, appeared to be impaired by drugs about 11:20 p.m. when he was arrested at West Diamond and south Chestnut streets, according to court documents.

District Judge Sue Haggerty on Monday arraigned Ritchie on a felony count of fleeing or attempting to elude police as well as drugged driving and a list of other charges.

He was placed in Butler County Prison on $3,000 bail following arraignment.

Police said they spotted the defendant’s 2004 Jeep Cherokee go over a curb shortly after 11 p.m. and travel into a yard in the 300 block of West New Castle Street.

Ritchie backed up and turned onto Chestnut Street. An officer activated his emergency lights and siren but the suspect sped up in a bid to get away, documents said.

He passed West Jefferson Street and ran a red light at West Cunningham and South Chestnut streets before pulling over, police said.

The SUV showed signs of damage including a shredded front tire and a dinged front bumper. The vehicle also was soaked with water.

Officers soon learned that the vehicle about 10:50 p.m. had hit a fire hydrant at West Penn and Mercer streets. Police also suspect that Ritchie had driven away after hitting a car in the 500 block of West New Castle Street.

He initially denied he was on drugs but later admitted he had smoked marijuana and had taken the anti-anxiety prescription drug Klonopin earlier that night, documents said.

Police searched his vehicle and found 42 empty heroin bags, 11 syringes, a spoon with suspected heroin and other drug-related evidence.

Additionally, they found him with suspected marijuana buds that were inside a cigarette pack.

Ritchie is charged with fleeing police, driving under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, driving with a suspended license, careless driving and two counts of hit-and-run.

A preliminary hearing for the defendant, who is unemployed and has three young children, is tentatively set for Monday.