Toll evader, ghost vehicle crackdown: 56 arrested, nearly 1,400 tickets issued

MTA Bridges and Tunnels and the NYPD arrested 56 people and issued nearly 1,400 tickets to persistent toll evaders and for “ghost plates” designed to avoid license plate readers on New York City bridges and tunnels, authorities said.

Authorities also seized 193 vehicles during the operation Monday and Wednesday that screened vehicles at the Robert F. Kennedy, Willis Avenue, Third Avenue and George Washington bridges and the Queens-Midtown, Lincoln and Holland tunnels.

Persistent toll evaders owed more than $1.2 million in unpaid tolls, fees, judgments and debts, authorities said.

Arrests included one out-of-state resident wanted on forgery charges and another person wanted on an outstanding robbery charge. Other drivers were stopped for violations including driving with covered or obstructed license plates, unpaid tolls, driving unregistered vehicles and driving with suspended licenses.

“Collectively, the NYPD and our multiagency task force partners refuse to take our foot off the gas in addressing the many ‘ghost cars’ and unlawful drivers on New York City roadways,” NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said in a statement. “We will consider none of this a victory, however, until every motorist understands that there are no more free rides.”

Officials seized several luxury vehicles, including a Mercedes, a Lucid electric sports car and a Lexus, multiple motorcycles and scooters and an extra-large pickup truck. A Bentley was also stopped and ticketed for an obstructed license plate, officials said.

The bust was run by eight agencies, which also included New York State Police, the Port Authority Police Department, the New York City Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission Police and the MTA Police Department Highway Patrol.

During 10 operations this year, since March, authorities have seized 618 vehicles, made 142 arrests and issued 4,247 tickets, totaling more than $5.2 million in unpaid tolls and other outstanding judgments. Authorities have impounded more than 1,000 vehicles this year for unpaid tolls.

“The evolution and expansion of operations across our regional bridges and tunnels, sends a clear message that if you break the law on our roads you will be caught, prosecuted, and your vehicle may be towed,” MTA Bridges and Tunnels President Catherine Sheridan said in a statement. 

Officials seized 2,731 vehicles in 2023, up 47% from 2022. A study by Newsday found drivers concealed, obstructed or used bogus license plates to dodge an average of 224,000 tolls a month last year at MTA bridges and tunnels. The MTA previously told Newsday that plate cheaters cost the authority about $46 million in toll revenue in 2022.

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.