WATCH: Surrey RCMP discovered one driver who used a little tape and a little deception to avoid paying tolls using a prop that may have been inspired by the movies. Julia Foy reports.
A Port Coquitlam man has been charged with two counts of fraud after he was spotted evading tolls on the Golden Ears Bridge.
It turns out the man was using a cable system inside the car to lift up the license plate to avoid the toll cameras.
In December, 2014, an off-duty Surrey RCMP Criminal Collision Investigation Team (CCIT) member was following a car headed towards Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows across the Golden Ears Bridge from Surrey.
No license plate was visible on the vehicle and this caught the officer’s attention.
“Officers are always looking for uninsured vehicles,” said Cpl. Scotty Schumann. “The officer was very surprised when he saw a valid BC license plate magically lift into place after they had passed the toll cameras.”
The officer recorded the plate number and began making inquiries. Police were able to identify the owner of the car and the driver. When they saw the driver cross the bridge again, he was arrested for fraud.
Gregory Murray, 49, was charged with two counts of fraud under $5,000 on Aug. 6. Police have also seized the car, a 1993 Geo Metro and are applying to have the car forfeited to Crown.
“Thousands of people cross the bridge daily with the vast majority paying their tolls. This serves as a reminder to anyone actively trying to defeat the toll system that it is a criminal offence and that you could lose your vehicle and face charges,” says Schumann.
Anyone with more information about toll evasion is asked to contact the police force in their jurisdiction or Crime Stoppers, if they wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.solvecrime.ca.
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