2017 News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 13, 2017

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Office of Public Affairs (609) 882-2000
Capt. Brian Polite - ext. 6514
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Sgt. Jeff Flynn - ext. 6516
Tpr. I Lawrence Peele - ext. 6531
Tpr. Alejandro Goez - ext. 6527


New Jersey State Police Arrest Man for Toll Theft and Unpaid Fees
Totaling more than $1 Million

Woodbridge Township, N.J. - The New Jersey State Police have arrested Lester Morales, 34, of Little Ferry, N.J. for the theft of more than $1 million of unpaid tolls and administrative fees during a 13-month period.

After a two-month investigation, detectives from the Troop “D” Criminal Investigations Office discovered that Morales, owner of EAB Transport LLC/ Do it Right Trucking, conducted operations with a delinquent E-Z Pass account. The company, located in Jersey City, had approximately 100 trucks going through tolls more than 100 times per day.

As a result of the investigation, troopers learned that Morales was at Newark Airport about to board a flight to Aruba. State Police detectives notified Port Authority Police, who located and arrested him at Newark Airport on Thursday, January 12. Morales was charged with theft of services and lodged at the Middlesex County Jail without bail. This case will be prosecuted by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.

"Lester Morales was responsible for operating his company, Do it Right Trucking, but unfortunately he was doing it wrong by racking up more than $1 million in unpaid tolls and administrative fees," said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. "Our detectives will work closely with our partners from the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office and New Jersey Turnpike Authority to ensure justice is served."

“Repeat offenders are committing serious fraud and pose an additional burden on taxpayers and the motorists who do pay their fair share of the costs to maintain and patrol the state’s highways and bridges,” said Andrew C. Carey, Middlesex County Prosecutor.

“People who cheat the system shift the burden of paying for the operation and maintenance of the Turnpike and Parkway to the honest toll-paying motorists who use those roads every day,” said Joseph W. Mrozek, New Jersey Turnpike Authority Executive Director. “I applaud the efforts of the State Police, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Turnpike Authority staff to bring the owner of this company to justice.”

Photo of Lester Morales

Lester Morales

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