Flushing Man Arrested In Rye After License Plate Reader Alert Uncovered Fraud: Police

RYE, NY — A license plate reader hit led to far more serious problems than just the suspended registration that was initially flagged, according to police.

The City of Rye Police Department says that 60-year-old Ming Wu, of Flushing, was arrested on Monday on fraud-related charges.

Using a license plate reader, a Rye police officer was alerted that the 2025 Toyota Rav4, occupied by Wu on Purchase Street, had a suspended registration, police said.

Wu was arrested and his vehicle was inventoried prior to being impounded. Police say that during the inventory of the Toyota, several New York driver's licenses were discovered, which did not belong to Wu.

Wu also initially identified himself as Qingyong Ren, while presenting a driver's license to the officer, according to police.

Rye police say that during the time of his arrest, Wu was found to be in possession of an unknown crystal substance and a spring-assisted knife.

Wu's charges include unlawful possession of personal identification, criminal possession of a forged instrument, criminal possession of a weapon, false personation, and criminal possession of a controlled substance.

He was processed and will return to Rye City Court on October 28.