MANHATTAN — A parole violator with at least two outstanding warrants was nabbed after he fled a routine traffic stop in the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel Tuesday morning, authorities said.
Mark Beniquez, 34, who used as many as eight aliases, was stopped for illegally driving in the Manhattan-bound high occupancy vehicle lane about 8:15 a.m. Tuesday, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said.
As an MTA Bridges and Tunnels officer tried to question him, Beniquez suddenly hit the gas and took off, the MTA said. He nearly hit a second officer and then wove dangerously through traffic trying to get away, the MTA said. As officers closed in on him, Beniquez stopped his car and tried to get into someone else's vehicle before finally surrendering to the MTA, officials said.
The Brooklyn District Attorney's office charged Beniquez with operating a motor vehicle under the influence, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, theft of services, reckless driving and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a spokesman for the DA said.
Beniquez was also wanted for parole violations stemming from a 1994 robbery conviction and for failing to return to court after being arrested on a criminal possession of marijuana charge and other drug charges on March 9, according to the MTA and the Brooklyn DA's office.
Beniquez was expected to be arraigned Wednesday, the MTA said.
Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel General Manager Marc Mende praised the quick-thinking MTA officers for capturing Beniquez.
"Each one did a phenomenal job and should be commended," Mende said in a statement Tuesday. "We're extremely proud of the work they did here today."
