Newtown and area towns have seen an unprecedented amount of stolen cars, including one just this past week from Newtown that led both Danbury and State Police in a dangerous chase.  Chief James Viadero says these crimes are being almost exclusively committed by juveniles who face little or no punishment if and when they are caught.  He is working with area departments to ask for a change in criminal justice reform laws.

A measure is being considered by Connecticut lawmakers about youthful offenders.  The bill calls for establishing a community-based preprosecution program or a diversion program that provides services and resources to rehabilitate and redirect youthful offenders.

Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano says there's been a rash of car thefts throughout the state.  Youthful offender car theft arrests was about 300 in 2016.  Once 2018 figures are finalized, the number will be about 800. 

Fasano says California has a law about car thefts, with enhanced penalties if it's an emergency vehicle or has a handicap sticker.  He says diversionary programs are different than what is currently on the books.  He noted that only a handful of states have so-called pop-out laws for car thefts, treating it differently than other similar crimes.