BUFFALO TWP — Michael J. Oehling Jr., a candidate for township supervisor in this month’s primary, is off the campaign trail.

Instead, the 23-year-old Oehling is in the Butler County Prison.

He faces a list of charges including felony assault for allegedly kicking a police officer after leading township police on a chase early Sunday morning.

The chase began about 2 a.m. after Oehling allegedly stole a large campaign sign of one of his political opponents.

Oehling is running for one of two Republican nominations for a six-year term for the township supervisors in the May 19 primary.

He is challenging incumbents John Haven and Gary Risch Sr.

Authorities believe Oehling stole one of Risch’s signs that was on the side of Route 356 next to the GetGo convenience store.

“It’s a big sign, 2 feet by 4 feet. It’s one that I had from the last election,” said Risch, who is seeking a third term.

Patrolman Daniel Ambrose didn’t see the alleged theft but he was on patrol near the Route 356 park and ride lot when he saw the suspected getaway car whiz by northbound.

Oehling was behind the wheel of the red car. Another man was riding outside on top of the hatchback door with his head resting near the roof line, according to court documents. Both of the passenger’s arms were outstretched and hanging on the sides of the door.

All that Ambrose could see in the car was a “large wooden object” that was propping open the hatchback door.

That object, police would later learn, was Risch’s oversized sign.

The officer tried to pull over the car, but Oehling did not stop. The vehicle turned onto Silverville Drive and then onto Doyle Road. Eventually, Oehling turned into the driveway of his home on High Point Drive.

Ambrose told Oehling to get out of the driver’s seat. But he refused, documents said.

When the officer tried to handcuff Oehling, the suspect allegedly ripped his arm away and tried to run, He didn’t get far. Police said he smelled of alcohol.

Officers later found an open bottle of 100 proof peppermint schnapps on the car’s passenger side floor.

Ambrose took Oehling to the ground and managed to cuff him, documents said, but not without a struggle.

A second township officer arrived and helped Ambrose put Oehling in the back of the arresting officer’s patrol car but not before Oehling kicked Ambrose.

Oehling was later taken to Allegheny Valley Hospital in Natrona Heights, Allegheny County, for a blood test.

Police found Risch’s large campaign sign and two of his smaller signs in Oehling’s car. The suspect’s passenger, Timothy Livengood, told police that Oehling had taken the signs because Oehling had some of his signs stolen.

It was not immediately known if police plan to charge Livengood in the case.

District Judge Wayne Seibel arraigned Oehling on criminal charges of aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude police, resisting arrest, driving under the influence, reckless endangerment and theft.

He remains in the county prison on $5,000 bail.

At his arraignment, Oehling told Seibel that he is unemployed and lives with his mother.

News of the suspect’s arrest left both of his opponents trying to make sense of it.

“It sounds like a young kid who had too much to drink,” Risch said.

Haven, like Risch, referred to Oehling’s relative youth and immaturity as possible explanations.

“He seems like a nice kid,” said Haven, who is running for a second term. “But for Buffalo Township, anyone doing this is out of character. Thankfully a police officer was nearby.”

Neither Risch nor Haven know much about Oehling. They recalled that in 2013 he ran his first campaign, losing to longtime township Supervisor Albert Roenigk.

Asked to predict the impact of Sunday’s arrest on his young opponent’s political career, Risch said, “I don’t think it’s going to do it very good.”

Haven said he believes Oehling’s foray into politics is over.

“In someone’s best judgment, his or his mother’s,” Haven said, “he should step down.”