NJ lawmakers look to crack down on home invasions

TRENTON, N.J. (PIX11) - Several bills that look to address the ongoing issue of home burglaries advanced through committee in the New Jersey State House Monday.

"This has become an epidemic right now in New Jersey," said Assemblyman Sterley Stanley, a Democrat who represents New Jersey's 18th District.

The bill would establish a separate crime of burglary of a residence, facilitating the tracking of home burglaries, something lawmakers say the state doesn't track.

"It would also give the courts a way of being able to track the offender as to the type of burglary that was committed and whether he's a repeat offender," said Stanley.

Under current law, burglary of a residence is a third-degree crime, punishable by three to five years behind bars; that gets bumped up to second degree if a person is harmed or threatened.

Another bill Stanley is working on looks to create the second-degree crime of home invasion burglary. According to the bill as it's currently written, it would be penalized by a mandatory term of five to 10 years.

"There definitely has been an uptick in these types of crimes being high-end motor vehicle thefts and also home invasions and home burglaries," said Edison Police Chief Thomas Bryan.

Officials in Edison have testified in support of the legislation.

"Edison has been hit by this and it's time that the state Legislature changes their laws," said Mayor Sam Joshi.

Law enforcement leaders around the state, including Rutherford Police Chief John Russo, are also in favor.

"Law enforcement executives believe enhancing the grading to a second degree for an occupied dwelling burglary will eventually pay dividends," said Russo.

Officials hope the bill makes its way to the governor's desk sometime this summer.