Rep. Joe Polletta Condemns Connecticut’s Car Theft Culture

HARTFORD – On Tuesday, State Representative Joe Polletta (R-Watertown) released the following statement condemning growing lawless behavior in Connecticut, highlighted by a dangerous increase in car thefts.

“I am appalled by the video which has been circulating of a news-style interview featuring the ‘CT Kia Boyz’ – a dangerous group of juveniles who have created a culture of car thefts and violent crime in Connecticut. Now, they are brazenly admitting that Connecticut is the ideal home for their gang activity, touting that there are no consequences for their illegal actions. This is no surprise to Connecticut residents and Republican lawmakers, who have decried this as a product of controversial police accountability legislation in 2020.

This is not strictly an issue of crime and neighborhood safety, although it presents a clear danger to the public at every turn. But these gangs are admitting to an orchestrated scheme in which some residents are green-lighting the theft of their vehicle to gain an insurance payout – and in many cases to avoid a potentially dangerous interaction. There are many causes for community concern following this troubling admission, yet it seems that lawmakers in the majority are deaf to the cries for justice on this issue.”

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