Connected cop in ‘shoplift’ slap

But NYPD vet avoids bust

A $173,000-a-year cop who serves as a driver for a high-ranking NYPD official was caught shoplifting at a Banana Republic store near Police Headquarters — but wasn’t arrested, The Post has learned.

Sgt. Tamas Balatoni, 49, was accused of switching price tags on merchandise amid the crush of lastminute Christmas shopping inside the clothing outlet at 552 Broadway Thursday night, law-enforcement sources said.

A store worker called the NYPD and cops from the Fifth Precinct went to the scene, sources said.

Balatoni wasn’t arrested, but was stripped of his badge and gun and assigned to desk duty, according to the sources.

Balatoni, a 20-year NYPD veteran, has a base salary of $108,593 but with overtime earned a total $173,525 during fiscal 2017, records show.

Prior to Thursday’s incident, he had been on special assignment as a driver for Assistant Chief Edward Delatorre, the top cop on Staten Island.

A police source told the Post that Balatoni is also facing pressure from the department to quietly retire to avoid potential dis- ciplinary charges that could result in him being fired.

“If he doesn’t retire, he’s probably going to get fired,” a police source said. “He’s an embarrassment to the Police Department and to the profession itself.”

If Balatoni resigns on good terms, he can receive a letter that allows him to get a gun license.

Otherwise, he would not be able to legally carry a concealed weapon in New York City.

Balatoni did not respond to a message seeking comment left at his home by The Post.