The Virginia plate was allegedly rigged to move up and down so that the plate, number 80057PY, couldn’t be seen by cameras that record scofflaws. (
)
(
)
What a trucking jerk.
A big-rig driver was busted at the George Washington Bridge after pulling a trick worthy of James Bond — pulling a cord that made his license plate disappear just as he passed under the E-Z Pass toll camera, sources told The Post yesterday.
Nelson Vaquiz was caught allegedly trying to dodge the $65 toll as he hauled a load of iron pipes north on Interstate 95 Saturday at around 6:30 a.m., when a sharp-eyed Port Authority police officer saw the plate mysteriously vanish and reappear.
“There was a cable in his front cab to retract the front plate,” a source explained. “Once he’s past the security cameras, he drops the plate back down.”
Officer Jason Malice, a 15-year veteran, sounded the alarm as soon as he observed Vaquiz and his suspicious plates motor though toll lane 16.
A phalanx of officers with lights and sirens blaring proceeded to pull him over a short distance away.
The 36-year-old suspect is a self-employed truck owner from Beaverdam, Va., who operates under the name “NY Speed.”
He was charged with theft of service, possession of burglar tools and eluding. His Peterbilt tractor-trailer was impounded.
Vaquiz, who posted $5,000 bail, did not return calls for comment.
The sources said he fashioned the crude system with a wire cable that made his front Virginia license plate rise up and down.
The device would allow him to pass through E-ZPass lanes at toll booths, but not get fined.
He also allegedly had the back plate on his trailer bent up so that it couldn’t be read by cameras, sources said.
According to public records, Vaquiz has been slapped with numerous driving violations, including speeding; keeping a radar detector; operating an uninspected vehicle; having no safety inspection; not observing traffic signs; not keeping a logbook; and failure to secure a load.
A woman at his Virginia home who identified herself as Amanda, his girlfriend, said, “This is ridiculous” — and added that he was already back on the road driving his truck.
Fare-beating at gateless tolls have become an increasing problem for the cash-strapped PA of late.
Some drivers have racked up bills as high as $30,000 in unpaid tolls and fines. The agency recently passed through a huge toll hike.
“We’ve lost approximately $14 million to toll cheats in 2009 and 2010 alone,” said PA spokesman Ron Marsico.
“We take E-ZPass violations very seriously. Our officers are on the lookout for scams. We hope this action will send a message to others.”
It isn’t necessary to rig up a homemade device to hide a license plate.
The Post was able to find motorized plate holders that can make a plate disappear being sold online for about $150.
The kits were being marketed to custom-car builders who don’t want plates to mar their handiwork at car shows. But the other, illegal use, of the product was clear to many online commentators.
“This would be damn useful if you live in New Jersey,” said one poster named DustedDom on YouTube. “Beat all those pesky tolls.”