Stricter penalties for carjacking approved by Senate

By: Associated Press//June 14, 2017//

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The penalties for carjacking would be increased under a bill approved by the Wisconsin state Senate.

The proposal, which was passed Wednesday, comes amid increasing concerns about carjackings in Milwaukee, especially after a respected city home inspector was shot and killed during an attempted carjacking in March.

The Republican-sponsored bill would make carjacking a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Under current law, it’s punishable by up to six years in prison.

Repeat offenders could also face 12½ years in prison rather than six under current law.

Sen. Lena Taylor, a Democrat from Milwaukee, said the measure won’t reduce the number of carjackings and that new responses are needed. The bill sponsor, Sen. Leah Vukmir, a Republican, said “enough is enough” and carjackers need to be held accountable.

The bill passed 25-7 with bipartisan support.

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