By: Richard L. Smith
A Bayonne woman and her bus company are facing criminal charges after allegedly accumulating nearly $300,000 in unpaid tolls over several years, according to a statement released by New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Criminal Justice.
Somaya Elkaramany, 57, owner of Best Big Bus LLC, was indicted on five counts of theft of services, including one second-degree charge.
Her company is also charged in the case.
Authorities allege that Elkaramany and her business failed to pay for thousands of trips between New Jersey and New York, racking up about $290,000 in toll violations from 2020 to 2025.
“The defendant and her company are charged with racking up nearly $300,000 in unpaid tolls for thousands of trips back and forth between New Jersey and New York,” Attorney General Platkin said. “We will not tolerate anyone who tries to cheat the system.”
Investigators say multiple vehicles registered to both Elkaramany and Best Big Bus were involved, with toll violations spanning Hudson County routes into New York City.
The charges stem from a joint investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department.
If convicted, Elkaramany faces up to 10 years in prison and significant fines.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Christopher Scerbo.