Upgrades degree of crime of auto theft when committed in connection with home invasion or residential burglary.

This bill (A 405) upgrades New Jersey's auto theft penalties when the theft occurs during a home invasion or residential burglary. Specifically, auto theft would become a second-degree crime if connected to residential burglary (currently a third-degree crime) and a first-degree crime if tied to home invasion burglary (which involves weapons or injury). The bill also ensures that auto theft convictions won’t merge with separate burglary convictions for sentencing. This change would increase potential penalties, with first-degree theft carrying up to 20 years in prison versus the current maximum of 5 years for third-degree theft.