A Bayonne police officer was charged with using a mechanical device to avoid at least $50,000 in Bayonne Bridge tolls, sources and officials confirmed.
“The defendant in this case was issued a Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT) by PAPD and will be arraigned at a later date at which point the criminal complaint will be made available,” Staten Island District Attorney’s Office spokesman Ryan Larvis said in an email.
His response came after HCV inquired if Bayonne Police Officer Jeffrey Veloz had been arrested on Friday, August 12th, for evading tolls.
He directed inquired to the Port Authority Police Department, who made the arrest. The Port Authority, who initially referred comment to the NYPD and then the DA’s office, did not return multiple requests for comment.
Sources with knowledge of the situation indicated that Veloz had been arrested for evading tolls at the Bayonne Bridge for years by using a mechanical device, totaling at least $50,000.
Bayonne Police Capt. Eric Amato declined to comment on Veloz’s employment status, citing an internal investigation and referring inquiries to the Port Authority police.
According to public records, Veloz joined the force in 2019 and earned a salary of $68,130 last year.