The driver is accused of 292 known violations with a grand total of over $20,000 in unpaid tolls and fees
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It appears that the Tri-State area, comprising New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, is grappling with a notable problem as drivers employ various tactics to obscure their license plates in an effort to evade fines and tickets. Earlier this week, we highlighted how New York City drivers have managed to avoid over $100 million in speeding tickets by using illegal methods to obscure their license plates.
Now, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has initiated a crackdown on toll evaders, leading to the recovery of over $25 million in unpaid tolls in 2023, representing a 14 percent increase compared to the previous year.
One driver was arrested on Friday at the George Washington Bridge, and it turns out he had 292 confirmed unpaid violations, including $5,167 owed in tolls and an additional $14,600 in fees for a grand total of nearly $20,000, as reported by the New York Post. Authorities say he used a James Bond-style gadget to conceal his license plate at the push of a button.
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The individual in question is Lequincy Anderson. Police said that they noticed the BMW driver on Friday as he drove through the toll plaza of the George Washington Bridge. As he did, authorities saw that his plate wasn’t 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 on command from the driver.
@newjersey1015 A man who accrued nearly 300 unpaid toll violations was arrested after trying to block his license plate while crossing the George Washington Bridge. According to the Port Authority, he now owes the agency close to $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 is facing a number of charges including theft of service, tampering with a government document, and possession of burglary tools. Police also cited him for being unable to produce his insurance and for the improper display of 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 in terms of fine amounts issued by the Port Authority in 2023. The tenth-highest fine was $78,632.80, and the most severe offender faces a staggering sum of just over $200,000 in unpaid tolls and fees, as listed by the agency on its website. That’s a good indication of just how big of a problem the Port Authority has on its hands regarding toll evaders.
In January of last year, police caught 21 toll cheaters in a single day on a single bridge. In that group was one driver in a Mazda whose unpaid tolls and fees amounted to $57,000. The group of drivers was responsible for more than $400,000 in unpaid tolls and fees.
Late in 2023, another operation led to the seizing of 44 cars that represent over $1 million in violation fees and unpaid tolls.