MADISON, CT - In recent months Branford Police Chief Kevin Halloran has made a point of telling anyone who will listen that his town has seen a huge increase in car thefts due, he believes, to the fact that the incident of breaking into or stealing cars has become a lesser crime on the state major crime schedule.

Well, now another police chief - Madison's Jack Drumm - said he is seeing the same thing happen in Madison. In the minutes of the most recent Madison Board of Police Commissioners meeting, is the following:

"Chief Drumm said there is currently a rash of vehicle thefts – don't leave your keys in the car. It is happening throughout the shoreline by gangs from New Haven, Waterbury etc. It is difficult to prosecute these juveniles for larceny based on state regulations. "We have identified most of the people involved in the thefts. Credit cards are taken and used in malls, etc. It's out of control. We have pending warrants; not the fault of any agency rather it is changes in the prosecution laws.