Officers Have Impounded 1,540 Vehicles, Issued 12,007 Summonses, Made 339 Arrests Through 25 Operations
Interagency Operations During June and July Held at the Queens Midtown Tunnel, Williamsburg Bridge, RFK Bridge and Bronx Whitestone Bridge
Governor Kathy Hochul announced that through 25 joint enforcement operations focusing on ghost plates and persistent toll violators on bridges and in tunnels throughout New York City, MTA Bridge and Tunnel officers, NYPD officers and local law enforcement partners have impounded 1,540 vehicles, made 339 arrests and issued 12,007 summonses. These drivers owe more than $12.5 million in unpaid tolls and fees.
“Ghost plates and toll evasion cost our state millions each year and impede our efforts to build a mass transit system that benefits everyone,” Governor Hochul said. “Our heightened enforcement efforts are cracking down on the brazen lawlessness that has gone unchecked for too long, and our message is simple: enough is enough.”
On Monday, July 8, law enforcement officers impounded 55 vehicles from motorists crossing the Bronx Whitestone Bridge. Scofflaws had amassed more than $480,000 in unpaid tolls, fees and judgments. The operations resulted in 13 arrests and 433 summonses.
On Tuesday, July 2, law enforcement officers impounded 67 vehicles from motorists crossing the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. Scofflaws had amassed approximately $537,429 in unpaid tolls, fees and judgments. The operations resulted in 7 arrests and 527 summonses.
On Monday, June 24, law enforcement officers impounded a total of 79 vehicles from motorists crossing the Queens Midtown Tunnel, Williamsburg Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, Goethals Bridge, Bayonne Bridge and Outerbridge Crossing. Scofflaws had amassed more than $128,000 in unpaid tolls, fees and judgments. The operations resulted in 25 arrests and 686 summonses.
Vehicles impounded during this operation involved a number of violations including unpaid tolls, forged documents, unregistered vehicles and suspended licenses. The interagency operation included MTA Bridge and Tunnel officers, MTA Police, NYPD, New York State Police, New York City Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) Police, and the Port Authority Police Department (PAPD).
Significant Arrests
During an operation on June 24, MTA Bridge and Tunnel officers conducted a traffic stop at the RFK Bridge on Randall’s Island. Officers observed the driver intentionally obstructed and concealed the last character of their license plate. A subsequent investigation revealed the driver had a suspended license, was wanted for several crimes, and officers found a large quantity of narcotics and a loaded firearm in the vehicle.
Port Authority Police apprehended three individuals during the 23rd interagency enforcement operation at the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels. One arrest was made at the Lincoln Tunnel after it was revealed the driver had an outstanding traffic warrant. Two drivers at the Holland Tunnel were arrested for tampering with public records and for theft of service.
During an operation at the Queens Midtown Tunnel and Williamsburg Bridges, NYPD officers stopped a moped operator for a vehicle traffic law offense. An initial investigation revealed the operator had a suspended license and upon further inspection, officers discovered the moped operator also had a substantial quantity of crack-cocaine. During a background check, officers discovered the individual is a Person of Interest for a shooting in Brooklyn in 2022.
During the 12th interagency enforcement operation on the Bronx Whitestone Bridge, NYC Sheriff’s apprehended four individuals who fled after causing a collision. All four are known to the NYPD, and two of the individuals are co-defendants in a grand larceny pattern involving stolen credit cards.
These arrests provide yet another extraordinary example of how the interagency enforcement operations are not only focused on improving traffic safety but to enhance public safety overall.
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