BUTLER TWP — A Butler man was allegedly high on heroin early this morning when he led police on a short chase that ended after he crashed into a curb, authorities said.

The suspect, 35-year-old Arthur A. Gillon III, ran from his wrecked car near a hotel on Route 8 south in Butler Township but he gave up.

The chase that began on Hansen Avenue shortly after midnight when an officer spotted his 1997 Chrysler Concorde with its taillights out, police said.

The officer ran the license plate and found that he was wanted on a bench warrant.

Gillon refused to stop and eventually drove south on Route 8 into Penn Township, authorities said. But he turned around apparently after seeing a Penn Township officer's car positioned near Airport Road.

Butler Township police, in anticipation of the car returning, now headed north on Route 8, laid down a spike strip on the road near Comfort Lane, which leads to the Comfort Inn. That device possibly caused the suspect to veer into a curb at Comfort Lane.

He was taken to Butler Memorial Hospital for a blood test. Toxicology results are pending.

A search of his car turned up suspected heroin and other drug contraband, police said.

Gillon is charged with a felony count of fleeing or attempting to elude police. His other charges include with driving under the influence of a controlled substance, drug possession, and reckless endangerment.

He was placed in the Butler County Prison on the warrant.