Wednesday, June 18, 2025
A Hempstead man is facing deportation after police say he was caught driving a car with a forged vehicle identification number.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement took Carlos Benitez-Reyes, 22, into custody, after patrol officers stopped him in Uniondale on May 20.
Around 11 p.m., officers spotted a gray 2003 Honda CRV with Virginia plates heading east on Front Street. A registration check revealed the plates actually belonged to a 2009 Ford Suburban.
Police pulled the car over at the intersection of Front and Chester streets. Benitez-Reyes had no form of identification and did not possess a New York driver’s license, police said. Officers also discovered the vehicle’s identification number had been tampered with.
Benitez-Reyes was arrested at the scene. The car was impounded, and he was charged with forgery of a vehicle identification number and multiple traffic violations. He was issued an appearance ticket returnable to First District Court on June 2.
Authorities later confirmed he was in the country illegally.
— Stacy Driks
