A Southwest Portland motorcyclist arrested Wednesday for allegedly slapping an officer and leading police in pursuit claims running from the cops is how he "relieves stress."

Michael David Lindenburger, 24, is facing a felony fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer charge and three misdemeanor charges, court records show.

He's accused of "splitting lanes" on his motorcycle, slapping the arm of an officer who was in a patrol car and leading officers in pursuit, according to court records.

Two officers were sitting in a squad car at a stoplight near Southeast 72nd Avenue and Powell Boulevard on Wednesday morning when they first saw Lindenburger coming up fast behind them, court records show.

Lindenburger slapped the officer in the passenger seat as he zipped past the car, then sped through a red light, documents show. He looked back as the officers gave chase, lights and sirens activated.

He then turned onto Southeast 71st Avenue -- a residential area with a 25 mph speed limit -- where he traveled at 60 mph.

Lindenburger continued along residential streets, and the officers stopped following him because of the danger of the pursuit. But another officer at the west end of the Ross Island Bridge spotted him and pulled him over.

The two officers from the patrol car took him into custody.

Lindenburger said he knew he eluded police, according to the court records, but didn't care about the felony charge because his "grandfather would hire an attorney and he would beat the charges."

Lindenburger was released from custody on his own recognizance later Wednesday, jail records show. He was arraigned Thursday and is next scheduled to appear in court May 5.

Lindenburger was also fined $350 for driving a motorcycle 84 mph in a 35 mph zone in Southeast Portland on Oct. 1, 2015, court records show.

His motorcycle was towed from the scene of his Wednesday arrest, police said in a news release.

-- Jim Ryan

jryan@oregonian.com

503-221-8005; @Jimryan015