WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., reintroduced bipartisan legislation Thursday, Oct. 22, aimed at combating organized auto theft rings by improving information sharing and coordination among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
The Combatting Auto Robbery at the Source Act, known as the CARS Act, would re-establish a National Auto Theft Bureau to serve as a national clearinghouse for information about stolen vehicles and organized auto theft operations.
The legislation is co-led by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., and is intended to help law enforcement agencies investigate theft rings operating across state lines and internationally.
“Auto theft isn’t just a property crime. It’s often run by organized rings that move stolen cars across state lines and out through our ports, and it puts families at risk, including in carjackings. Our law enforcement is doing everything it can, but they need a national clearinghouse to connect the dots in real time. The CARS Act will give them the intelligence, training, and resources to stop these criminals. To our law enforcement and the victims of auto theft here in Jersey, know that I stand with you,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5).
According to Gottheimer’s office, more than 1,300 vehicles were stolen in New Jersey in 2025.
The proposed National Auto Theft Bureau would allow law enforcement agencies at all levels to share information in real time to help identify and investigate sophisticated auto theft organizations.
The legislation would also provide training, resources and recommendations to law enforcement, private industry and the public about preventing vehicle theft. Those efforts would include identifying vehicle designs that may increase vulnerability to theft and monitoring online trends related to auto theft.
Additionally, the bill would establish grants for law enforcement agencies nationwide to improve information sharing and implement practices aimed at reducing vehicle thefts.
“In recent years, we have seen an increase in car thefts across the tristate area, making New Yorkers feel less safe and negatively impacting their quality of life. License plate scanners I allocated funding for have helped identify and recover stolen vehicles. However, once these vehicles leave the city, it becomes harder,” said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11). “We know that many end up on ships at New Jersey ports and then are sold in other countries. By creating a national anti-auto theft bureau and strengthening coordination at all levels, law enforcement can better combat auto theft across the tristate area.”
Gottheimer first introduced the CARS Act in April 2024 after touring the New Jersey State Police Real Time Crime Center, which connects state, county and local law enforcement agencies through the real-time distribution of information about auto thefts and other crimes.
The congressman has previously worked with federal and state officials on efforts to address organized vehicle theft and the movement of stolen automobiles through New Jersey ports.
In April 2023, Gottheimer convened a roundtable discussion with representatives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Port Newark leadership and state and local law enforcement agencies to discuss efforts to combat interstate and international auto theft rings and carjackings.
He also previously held discussions with local law enforcement about increases in burglaries and vehicle thefts, including organized burglary rings targeting Indian American and Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
In 2022, Gottheimer called on the Department of Homeland Security to strengthen enforcement efforts against interstate and international carjacking and auto theft. According to his office, those efforts resulted in additional federal, state and local operations to recover stolen vehicles.
The reintroduced CARS Act would seek to expand those efforts by establishing a national system for sharing auto theft intelligence and providing resources to law enforcement agencies across the country.
