Get tough on smash-and-grabs

Why is it necessary for Gov. J.B. Pritzker to seek a new law to combat smash-andgrabs, i.e., commercial burglary by rogue thugs? The new law makes it a felony with harsher penalties.

Wait, that’s being repetitive, as there’s a law already on the books to cover smashand-grabs. It’s called burglary, which is a Class 2 Felony and can result in imprisonment up to 3-7 years, and anyone with a criminal history can face harsher sentencing.

Just use the current law and start enforcing it to the fullest extent. When thugs enter a store that is open for business and rifle the store, charge them with burglary instead of retail theft.

John Moravecek, Naperville