MTA Bridges and Tunnels 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.

 

Daniel F. De Crescenzo Jr., president of MTA Bridges and Tunnels said use of fraudulent license plates was a crime that equates to lost revenue for the MTA, and is unfair to law-abiding motorists.  “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,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, Richard L. Hildebrand II, vice president and chief of operations said the incidents were a targeted initiative that netted three arrests by officers in less than an hour. “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, whch is a Class A misdemeanor, carrying a potential sentence of 364 days or less in jail and/or a fine up to $1,000.