Republican pols want stiffer penalties to curb historic wave of car thefts
NY Post
Republican lawmakers want to make it easier to lock up car thieves as a historic rise in stolen vehicles continues to slam New Yorkers.
New legislation introduced by Staten Island Assemblyman Michael Reilly (R-Staten Island) would increase the penalty for repeat car thieves, including making the crimes bail eligible.
Big Apple car thefts have soared recently, escalating to 13,500 stolen vehicles last year – the highest since 2006.
“What this legislation is going to do, it’s going to address and help law enforcement combat that,” Reilly told reporters outside the 122 NYPD Precinct Friday.
Reilly’s bill would allow a repeat car thief to be charged with aggravated grand larceny, a felony that allows judges to hold someone in custody under New York’s lax bail laws. It would also give district attorneys the ability to request judges try 16 and 17-year-old offenders be tried as adults.
“These individuals know that they can get away with anything,” Staten Island Borough President Vito Fosello, said alongside Reilly.
