N.J. woman nabbed for owing more than $17K in E-ZPass tolls, cops say

A New Jersey woman has been arrested for owing more than $17,000 in E-ZPass tolls.

Tara Paczkowski, 33, of Old Bridge(Courtesy of the Port Authority Police Department) 

An Old Bridge woman was arrested Monday for owing more than $17,500 in tolls and fees, authorities said.

Tara Paczkowski, 33, was charged with theft of service and theft by unlawful taking after police spotted her around 9:30 a.m. going through an E-ZPass lane near the Lincoln Tunnel without paying, according to a statement from the Port Authority Police Department.

When Port Authority police pulled over Paczkowski -- who was driving a 2014 Nissan -- she was unable to show authorities an E-ZPass transponder.

Authorities said they then discovered that Paczkowski had racked up violations of more than $17,500 in tolls and fees stemming from 270 incidents, the statement said.

Authorities impounded her Nissan and arrested her.

She is expected to appear for a court hearing on May 1.

Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.