NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) -- The latest three-day crackdown on "ghost" cars and serial toll evaders at New York City bridges and tunnels led to 50 arrests, more than 1,800 summonses and the confiscation of nearly 200 vehicles, the MTA said Sunday.
Among those arrested was a man with a loaded 9 mm gun who was considered a person of interest in a 2005 shooting homicide in Brooklyn, according to the MTA.
The unnamed felon was riding a motorcycle at the Third Avenue Bridge connecting East Harlem and the Bronx on June 15 when NYPD officers tried to stop him.
The man accelerated but lost control and struck a parked car before fleeing on foot. Police apprehended him a short time later. According to the MTA, he has an extensive history of arrests for firearm possession and robbery.
The crackdown on June 14, June 15 and June 17 focused on the RFK, Willis Avenue, Third Avenue, Broadway, Henry Hudson, and 181 Street bridges.
In addition to the 50 arrests, 192 vehicles were seized, and 1,809 summonses were issued for various offenses.
According to the MTA, there have been 21 of these operations so far this year, with a total of 1,266 vehicles seized, 276 people arrested, and 9,917 summonses issued.
The crackdowns are focusing on ghost vehicles—vehicles with obstructed or counterfeit license plates—as well as persistent toll violators.
Indeed, the drivers caught in this bust along had amassed $1.5 million in unpaid tolls and fees, judgments and debts, according to the MTA.
Various agencies took part in the crackdown, including the MTA Police, NYPD, Port Authority Police, NYC Sheriff's Office and New York State Police.
Among those also arrested was a 24-year-old man who had "numerous" extraditable warrants out of Virginia for stolen motor vehicle offenses, the MTA said. He was caught after the Port Authority Police's license plate reader system made a hit on his vehicle, which had been reported stolen.
