The driver is charged with 292 known violations, totaling more than $20,000 in unpaid tolls
January 24, 2024 at 1:00 PM
It appears the Tri-State area, which includes New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, is grappling with a notable problem as drivers use various tactics to conceal their license plates in an effort to avoid fines and tickets. Earlier this week we highlighted how drivers in New York City have managed to avoid more than $100 million in speeding tickets by using illegal methods to conceal their license plates.
Now, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has cracked down on toll evaders, leading to the recovery of more than $25 million in unpaid tolls by 2023, a 14 percent increase from the previous year.
One driver was arrested on the George Washington Bridge on Friday, and it turns out he had 292 confirmed unpaid violations, including $5,167 in tolls and another $14,600 in fees for a total of almost $20,000, as reported by the New York Post. Authorities say he used a James Bond-style gadget to hide his license plate with the push of a button.
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The person in question is Lequincy Anderson. Police said they spotted the BMW driver Friday as he drove through the George Washington Bridge toll plaza. As he did so, authorities noticed his license plate was not visible, so they initiated a traffic stop. The resulting interaction led to his arrest and the discovery of a device that slides down from above the license plate and covers it at the driver’s command.
@newjersey1015 A man with nearly 300 unpaid toll violations was arrested after he tried to block his license plate while crossing the George Washington Bridge. According to the Port Authority, he now owes the agency nearly $20,000 after evading $5,167 in ##newjersey##nj##gwbridge##njnews##newjerseynews##crime##bmw##gardenstate ♬ original sound – New Jersey 101.5
As a result, the driver faces a number of charges, including theft of services, tampering with a government document and possession of burglary tools. Police also charged him for failing to produce his insurance and for improperly displaying license plates. A short video above shows how quickly and seamlessly the device hides the plate on his BMW.
Somehow, Anderson wouldn’t even crack the top ten when it comes to fine amounts issued by the Port Authority in 2023. The tenth highest fine was $78,632.80, and the most serious offender faces a staggering sum of just over $200,000 in unpaid tolls and fees. , as stated by the agency on its website. That’s a good indication of how big of a problem the Port Authority has with toll evaders.
In January last year, police caught 21 toll fraudsters on one bridge in one day. That group included one driver in a Mazda whose unpaid tolls and fees totaled $57,000. The group of drivers was responsible for more than $400,000 in unpaid tolls.
In late 2023, another operation led to the seizure of 44 cars representing more than $1 million in violation fees and unpaid tolls.
GIF Port Authority NY NJ