Auto Theft on the Rise in New Jersey

There’s a new epidemic in New Jersey and its moniker is Grand Theft Auto. And I’m not talking about the video game. Unfortunately, auto theft is on the rise in New Jersey with very real, very legal, consequences. This nj.com article cites some alarming statistics from the New Jersey State Police:

Last year, 14,320 vehicles were reported stolen in New Jersey, a 22% increase compared to 2020. As of August, the state has already seen more than 9,000 with as many as 17,000 by year’s end.

Auto theft is on the rise in New Jersey because there are sophisticated criminal organizations leading the effort. Several NJ politicians have made it their personal crusade to mitigate this issue. There are two key factors driving the success of these criminal ventures. The first is that the Port of Newark is easily accessible Therefore, is it much easier for criminal outlets to ship the cars overseas for foreign sales. The other and more disturbing key to their success is the recruitment of underage minors. It’s a well-known fact that the criminal justice system typically adopts more lenient sentencing for crimes committed by minors, and/or their records will be sealed, so there isn’t much leverage to deter youths from cooperating with these larger criminal organizations.

The Recruitment of Minors by Criminal Enterprises

These lawmakers are now seeking tougher sentencing for these crimes when a minor is involved.

There’s also a darker outcome in some of these auto theft cases … not all vehicles are stolen as a result of unlocked vehicles. In fact, some of these offenders are actually breaking into people’s homes to steal the keys, and subsequently steal the vehicle. These situations can take a deadly turn in the blink of an eye. Sadder still, some of these stolen cars are being used in fatal drive-by shootings. Consequently, the State Police allege, “A ‘strong nexus’ between suspects arrested for receiving stolen property — the most common charge in car thefts in New Jersey — and gun violence.”

As a criminal defense attorney with experience representing juveniles in court, this is a concerning trend. Our children will be further impacted by any stricter sentencing that may arise from these task forces seeking harsher punishments. Sometimes, judges are lenient on first-time juvenile offenders, especially if the crime is non-violent. However, there are other judges who believe a stringent sentence is what a minor needs to nip the behavior in the bud.

Contact us today if your child is involved in any criminal activity such as these car theft rings. His or her future very much hinges on the outcome of this case, and together we will develop a defense strategy.