Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco that targets auto theft trafficking networks and expands penalties for offenders was advanced by the New Jersey Senate.
“The Senate’s advancement of this legislation puts a plan in place to hold auto theft traffickers and their criminal networks accountable for the epidemic of motor vehicle thefts in New Jersey. Auto theft networks have grown significantly since 2020, with car and auto-part thefts increasing by 40% or more in some areas of the state,” said Bucco (R-25). “Existing laws have done more to handcuff our police and prosecutors than handcuff the criminals committing these heinous acts. This legislation would establish a new crime for auto theft network participants and broaden the scope of the existing second-degree crime for leaders of a motor vehicle criminal network.”
Senator Bucco’s bill, S-3006/3345 ScaScs, was amended and substituted with an identical Assembly bill, A-5034, to form a comprehensive bipartisan plan to target auto theft trafficking networks and the criminals in those organizations.
Specifically, the amended bill broadens the offense for leaders of auto theft networks, so that the original crime will apply to more offenders who might otherwise slip through the cracks.
The bill expands the existing second-degree offense to include individuals functioning as recruiters, networks involved in for profit enterprises and criminal activities, and traffickers who only deal with stolen automobile parts. A second-degree crime carries a maximum penalty of imprisonment for up to ten years, fines reaching $150,000, or a combination of both.
The bill also establishes a new offense for participants in auto theft trafficking networks, which encompasses individuals who collaborate with others to commit unlawful activities related to stolen cars and car parts within the state. This is a crime in the third degree, which is ordinarily punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine up to $15,000, or a combination of both.
“Too many suspects have gotten away with committing auto theft crimes in the past. These concerning trends risk decaying our quality of life,” Bucco stressed. “It is time that we hold these criminals accountable. This legislation sends a strong message that if you commit the crime, you will be caught and you will serve time.”