Cops have arrested the ex-con they say injured two cops as he fled a Midtown traffic stop — obliterating a portion of a restaurant sidewalk shed as he escaped authorities, police said Saturday.
A Crime Stoppers tip led police to Benjamin Abrams, who is now facing charges of assaulting a police officer for striking two cops during the April 19 mayhem.
Abrams’ lengthy rap sheet dates to 1989 and includes 24 arrests. He has faced charges including robbery, car theft, drug possession and prostitution, a police source said.
He remains on parole through February 2025, cops said.
The chaos, captured on cellphone video obtained by the Daily News, began at about 4:50 p.m. when police stopped Abrams’ Cadillac for a traffic violation near Seventh Ave. and W. 38th St., cops said.
As police approached, Abrams, 56, took off. Cops radioed ahead and officers caught up with him when he got stuck in traffic on E. 30th St. near Madison Ave., officials said.
But as cops approached, Abrams allegedly threw the car in reverse and gunned the engine, sending one officer leaping out of the way.
The driver then sped forward, plowing through a sidewalk shed on E. 30th St. as he vaulted the curb.
Pedestrians jumped out of the way as the driver zipped down the sidewalk then veered back onto the roadway, knocking over a street sign before speeding off.
The driver sideswiped multiple vehicles before slamming into another car near Lexington Ave. and E. 31st St. Abrams abandoned the Cadillac there and ran off.
Both injured cops were taken to area hospitals in stable condition, police said.
Abrams is a career criminal who was paroled in August 2021 after serving a six-year sentence for attempted robbery and drug charges — one of five prison terms he has served, mostly for drug cases, records show.
Abrams’ arraignment was pending Saturday.
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