A man who backed over a motorcycle cop’s bike, leading to an hours-long standoff, said he did it because he didn’t want to go back to prison, court records show.

Robert Denhartog, 46, was in the El Paso County jail Tuesday with a bond of more than $250,000. He intentionally backed over a Colorado Springs police motorcycle and the officer after he pulled Denhartog over for going 14 miles over the 35 mph speed limit on Centennial Boulevard, according to his arrest affidavit.

“Denhartog stated that he didn’t mean to hit the cop, he was just trying to strike the motorcycle and that he didn’t want to go back to prison,” the affidavit states, recounting what he told a paramedic and police officer.

He was sentenced to 13 years in prison in 2000 for assaulting a peace officer, according to court records.

Denhartog knew there was a warrant for his arrest, his passengers told police, according to the affidavit. Two women and a man riding in his Jeep were questioned by police but not arrested. Colorado Springs police had wanted Denhartog for failing to appear in court for traffic crimes he was accused of last year, court records show.

Officer Lee Doll had put the kickstand down on his bike but was still on it when Denhartog reversed, striking the bike so hard it was temporarily stuck under his Jeep as he tried to get away. Doll was treated for whiplash-type injuries, the affidavit says.

Doll aimed his gun at Denhartog but did not fire when Denhartog ducked and Doll saw a passenger in the vehicle. He fired a single shot that deflated a rear tire when Denhartog accelerated toward him after freeing the motorcycle from under his car.

“I’m going to ram the cop,” one of the passengers told police Denhartog had said right before backing into the motorcycle.

He was found in a broken-into unit at Saddleback Ridge Condominiums near Centennial Boulevard and Chuckwagon Road.

He told police he had used methamphetamines in the past several days and had broken into the apartment so he could hide from officers, the affidavit said.

Denhartog is expected in court on March 30.

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Contact Kassondra Cloos: 636-0362

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