Bridge and Tunnel Officers Observed Three Motorists Using Fake Temporary License Plates in Attempt to Avoid Toll Payment
Part of Expansive Investigation Efforts by MTA Bridges and Tunnels That Tracked Fraudulent Use Travel Patterns
Motorists Facing Up to 364 Days in Jail and/or $1,000 Fine
View Photos of Fraudulent License Plates
MTA Bridges and Tunnels today announced that on Wednesday, June 9, bridge and tunnel officers successfully apprehended three motorists for allegedly using fraudulent license plates, in an attempt to evade paying the toll on the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge.
The arrests were made in a 30-minute span and began at approximately 9:30 a.m. Personnel utilized intelligence provided by Bridges and Tunnels staff and electronic license plate readers for the purpose of stopping persistent toll violators. According to the officers, the first motorist was found to have a fraudulent temporary New Jersey license plate. Ten minutes later, at approximately 9:40 a.m., a second motorist was pulled over and allegedly found to have a fraudulent temporary Texas license plate. Lastly, ten minutes after the second arrest at approximately 9:50 a.m., a third motorist was pulled over and allegedly also found to have a fraudulent temporary New Jersey license plate.
“Use of fraudulent license plates is a crime that equates to lost revenue for the MTA and is unfair to law-abiding motorists,” said Daniel F. DeCrescenzo Jr., President of MTA Bridges and Tunnels. "We have the staff and technology to identify and apprehend these individuals, as we have with these arrests. We also work closely with our law enforcement partners and other tolling agencies."
"This was a targeted initiative that netted three arrests by our Officers in less than an hour," said Richard L. Hildebrand II, Vice President and Chief of Operations. "Based on intelligence and review of fraudulent use patterns of travel, the result was a fruitful operation that should serve as a message to anyone else trying to evade paying tolls: DON’T DO IT!"
All three motorists are New York residents, and were arrested at the scene for violation of NY Penal Law § 170.20: Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Third Degree, which is a Class A misdemeanor carrying a potential sentence of 364 days or less in jail and/or a fine up to $1,000.