State Police Arrest Man With Fake Plate on I-278
A 38-year-old Carteret, NJ man was charged with forgery after a Trooper found a swapped fraudulent license plate on his vehicle.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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State Police arrested Cesar Galarza Martinez, 38, of Carteret, NJ, for Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument after a traffic stop on I-278 East near Exit 15. A Trooper found the license plate on the grey Nissan Maxima was fraudulent.
Why it matters
The case highlights how traffic stops can uncover forged vehicle documentation on Staten Island's highways. Forged plates can obscure a vehicle's identity and complicate enforcement, making such stops a key tool for law enforcement.
Cesar Galarza Martinez was lodged in Staten Island Central Booking and is to be arraigned on Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the 2nd Degree, a class D felony. The source does not report a bail amount or a court date.
The players
New York State Police
The state law enforcement agency that stopped the vehicle, arrested the suspect, and announced the case.
Cesar Galarza Martinez
The 38-year-old Carteret, NJ man arrested after allegedly displaying a forged license plate on his vehicle.
The details
A State Police Trooper stopped a grey Nissan Maxima on I-278 East near Exit 15 for Vehicle and Traffic Law violations. The Trooper determined the plate affixed to the vehicle was fraudulent after interviewing the motorist, who had used a device to swap the fictitious plate with the legitimate one.
Timeline
November 5, 2026: State Police arrested Galarza Martinez on Staten Island.
November 6, 2026: State Police published the arrest announcement.
Legal Context
The charge falls under New York Penal Law Article 170, which covers forgery offenses including the possession of forged instruments. Prosecutions of this type are typically brought when a fraudulent document is knowingly held with intent to use it.
Drivers on I-278 and other Staten Island roads may see more traffic stops tied to vehicle registration and plate checks. Motorists should confirm their license plates are properly mounted and legitimate to avoid being stopped or cited.
The takeaway
Vehicle plate fraud is a serious offense that can lead to felony charges, even when it is discovered during a routine traffic stop. Drivers should keep their registration and plates in order to avoid legal trouble.
Further reading
For more on regional enforcement, see Law Enforcement coverage of Staten Island.
Source note: This article includes information reported by New York State Police.
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