A Times Square Batman was arrested Wednesday night after he snatched $50 from a tourist and made a run for it, police said.
Jose Escalona-Martinez, 42, was dressed as the Caped Crusader while posing with two Irish tourists on Broadway near 44th around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday when he allegedly grabbed the cash from one. He was apprehended nearby shortly after.
“A dark night for Gotham when fake batman is led away in cuffs,” A Better Times Square tweeted.
Escalona-Martinez was charged with grand larceny and possession of stolen property.
Cops have been cracking down on the Times Square costumed characters after a number of incidents.
A Darth Vader prowling the Crossroads of the World was nabbed in December, allegedly for illegally hustling for tips.
Philip Williams, 38, wore a black helmet-mask and dressed in an all-black costume.
He allegedly kept tourists who posed for pictures with him from leaving until they forked over cash.
Williams, along with two costumed accomplices, “closed in” on a woman and “prevented her from being able to walk away,” the complaint said.
The “intimidated and nervous” woman then forked over $50 and scurried off, the complaint said.
Williams was arrested on a charge of aggressive begging in a public place.
Also in December, a sleazy pair dressed as Iron Man and Minnie Mouse asked tourists for cash for photos while claiming the money was going to “schoolkids.”
When The Post pressed the duo about the “charity,” they went on the defensive.
“Not for schoolkids, you hear wrong,” the Ironman said. “No, no, no, not for schoolkids.”
Critics have called for a ban on the characters, but police say they have a constitutional right to be there.
With Tom Wilson and Daniel Prendergast