Port Authority Police say that a toll skipping trucker chose to stay in jail over the weekend rather than pay his $500 bond — in spite of the fact that he had nearly $7000 in cash on his person.
Trucker’s Company Owes Over $100,000 In EZPass Tolls And Fines
According to reports, 37 year old trucker Rene Preito was arrested Saturday in Staten Island when he was caught evading a toll on the Bayonne Bridge. He was pulled over because Port Authority police recognized the KTR Hauler Inc. truck because the company owes over $114,000 in unpaid EZPass tolls and fines.
When police looked more closely at Preito’s truck, they saw that a second false license plate had been mounted on top of the real plate. The truck and trailer were impounded.
During his arrest, police discovered $6900 in cash on the truck driver.
Preito was arrested and charged with petit larceny and improper registration or plate display.
Trucker’s Reasons For Refusing To Pay Bail Are Unclear
Though the judge set a relatively low bail of $500 for Preito on Sunday, he refused to pay it, opting instead to spend the weekend behind bars. He pled not guilty to the charges and will be back in court today.
A KTR employee said she had “no idea” why Preito would choose to stay in jail rather than paying his bail or why he was carrying so much cash.
According to the FMCSA’s website, KTR Hauler Inc. has “no current for-hire operating authority with FMCSA.”
Tolls fees on the Bayonee Bridge are $126 for a truck with six axles.
Truck driver failed to pay Bayonne Bridge toll, but had $6,900 on him: cops:
Furthermore, police said… https://t.co/QMF8JcctQT— The Jersey Journal (@jerseyjournal) July 5, 2016
Sources:
NJ.com
SILive
NY Post