A tour bus driver was slashed and stabbed by a razor-wielding panhandler who was hassling his passengers for money late Tuesday in Midtown, cops said.
The 53-year-old driver parked the double-decker bus on Eighth Avenue near West 42nd Street around 11:40 p.m. when 40-year-old Hector Cruz approached passengers and begged for money, according to police.
The beggar eventually boarded the bus and began swinging around a razor blade. Cruz allegedly slashed the driver in the face and torso, and stabbed him in the chest.
He initially fled after the attack, but police caught up to him a few blocks away.
The razor-wielding maniac was arrested and charged with assault, menacing, reckless endangerment, criminal possession of a weapon, harassment, disorderly conduct and loitering, authorities said.
The incident occurred around 11:40 p.m. Tuesday. Loudlabs News NYC
The vagrant was arrested and charged shortly after the incident. Loudlabs News NYCThe blade was recovered, cops said.
Cruz is “known to the department,” but police could not immediately provide details on his prior arrests.
