286 cars impounded in operations to bust ghost vehicles, toll evaders in NYC

NEW YORK (PIX11) – More than 250 vehicles were impounded during operations to crack down on ghost vehicles and toll evaders in New York City last month, MTA officials said Monday.

In September, law enforcement officers impounded 286 vehicles during six operations at bridges and tunnels, including the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, the Bronx–Whitestone Bridge, the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, the Cross Bay Bridge, the Third Avenue Bridge, the Throgs Neck Bridge, the the Henry Hudson Bridge, and the Queens-Midtown Tunnel.

Vehicles were impounded for various violations, including suspended registrations due to unpaid tolls, unregistered vehicles, and suspended licenses, according to the MTA.

“September saw six operations where Bridge and Tunnel Officers joined our regional partners to fight against the ghost plates some people use to avoid paying their tolls,” said MTA Bridges and Tunnels President Catherine Sheridan. “This behavior won’t be tolerated. Pay your tolls, don’t risk losing your car.”

The interagency task force that conducted the operations included MTA Bridges and Tunnel officers, MTA police, NYPD officers, Port Authority police, New York State Police, the New York City Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, and Taxi and Limousine Commission police.

The task force was created earlier this year with the mission to combat ghost cars — difficult-to-trace vehicles that are being used to commit crimes in New York City.

Ghost cars are difficult to trace by traffic cameras and toll readers because they have fake or altered license plates. Ghost cars are being used to avoid tolls and also for more serious crimes such as robberies and shootings, according to officials.

Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than five years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here .

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