Many of the subway panhandlers busted by the NYPD in a recent crackdown have long criminal histories, police said Monday.
In 58 of the collars between November 18 and 25, more than half of those busted beggars had a history of at least ten offenses– and a whopping 15 had been locked up 20 times, according to Deputy Chief Vincent Coogan.
The panhandlers’ criminal histories range from robberies to sex abuse.
Stephen Johnson, 58, busted on Nov. 19, had the longest rap sheet of the panhandlers with 92 past offenses– including jumping turnstiles, trespassing, and drug possession, according to a law-enforcement source.
The Brooklyn resident was arrested after he made the mistake of asking a police officer at the 28th Street station in Manhattan if he could spare some change, the source added.
The Post first reported on the crackdown after learning that cops were putting the heat on panhandlers asking straphangers for money.
Cops also said Monday that riders can expect a beefed-up police presence underground during the holidays.
Every transit district in the NYPD has a holiday plan– which includes support from the K-9 unit, rookie impact cops, and the homeless outreach unit.
Overall, felony crimes in the subway are down more than 6 percent this year, led by a plunge in robberies, Coogan said.