RCMP alleges B.C. man evaded toll-bridge fees by manipulating licence plate

SURREY, B.C. – A Vancouver-area man who allegedly evaded toll-bridge cameras by manipulating his licence plate with a cable system has been charged with fraud.

RCMP Cpl. Scotty Schumann says 49-year-old Gregory Murray of Port Coquitlam is facing two counts of fraud under $5,000.

He says that in December 2014 an off-duty officer watched a car’s licence plate go back into place after the vehicle passed toll cameras on the Golden Ears Bridge.

Schumann says police identified the driver and later followed the car, watching as the plate was lifted away to avoid cameras that photograph licence plates so drivers can be billed a crossing fee.

Schumann says police stopped the car, arrested the driver and during a search found a cable system inside the vehicle that could manipulate the licence plate.

He says police have seized Murray’s 1993 Geo Metro and will apply to have it forfeited to the Crown.