NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A driver who was caught using a device to block his license plate at the George Washington Bridge was arrested for owing nearly $20,000 in unpaid tolls and fees, Port Authority police said Tuesday.
The driver owed the Port Authority $19,767, including $5,167 in tolls and $14,600 in fees over 292 known unpaid violations, according to police.
He was arrested at the bridge on Friday after police stopped him for allegedly having a device that blocked his license plate, preventing the Port Authority from issuing a toll-by-mail invoice.
He was charged with theft of service, tampering with a government document and possession of burglar's tools, police said.
He was also issued summonses for improper display of license plates and failure to produce documents, according to police.
Improved technology, targeted patrols and stronger recoupment efforts have helped the agency collect $25 million from toll evaders last year, officials said.
Robin Bramwell-Stewart, who oversees toll operations for the Port Authority, said the agency wants people to know toll evasion is "not something we're turning a blind eye to."
"The users of our facilities pay for the maintenance and upkeep of those facilities, so it's critically important for us that we collect all of the tolls that are required," Bramwell-Stewart said. "We also view it as an item of fairness."
The Port Authority Police Department issued nearly 6,000 toll-evasion summonses last year, a 28% increase from 2022.
The Port Authority said the worst offender, EM Padilla Trucking Corp. in Weehawken, was ordered to pay a little over $200,000 in unpaid tolls and fees.