Jason Tafoya, 35, rode a stolen motorcycle and nearly ran down a Colorado Springs motorcycle officer in a short chase today, police said.
Motorcycle Officer Dave Nelson was running a radar checkpoint in the 700 block of East Uintah Street when he clocked Tafoya on the motorcycle going 50 mph in a 30-mph zone at about 2 p.m., according to police.
Tafoya refused to pull over after Nelson turned on his lights and siren. Another motorcycle officer, Alan Roman, stopped at Uintah and Cedar Avenue, stepped into the street and motioned for Tafoya to stop.
According to police, Tafoya instead raced at the officer, forcing Roman to leap out of the way.
Police said Tafoya was driving erratically at nearly 80 mph on city streets, so officers backed off the chase.
When Tafoya tried to turn north onto Union Boulevard, he crashed and tried to run away, police said.
An officer caught and arrested Tafoya as he tried to climb a fence, they said.
Police said Tafoya was holding methamphetamine and marijuana and the motorcycle was stolen. He also had a warrant for his arrest in a domestic violence case that resulted in an attempted murder charge, they said.
Tafoya was charged with aggravated motor vehicle theft, attempted vehicular assault, unlawful possession of drugs and traffic offenses.
