BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Western New York stolen car crisis is creating danger on the roadways and recently, for one Buffalo family, it has created danger in their own home.
On Sunday, a stolen vehicle slammed into Nia Badger's home along Humboldt Parkway.
"We went to my husband's grandmother's house. We weren't there ten minutes when our next-door neighbor called and said, 'You need to get back. Someone has hit your house,'" she said.
The couple returned to a red Kia rammed into their home with about eight police cars surrounding the area.
"There were three involved. All minors. All under the age of 16," Badger said. "The young lady we saw hyperventilating outside the police car was one of my husband's students that he teaches daily."
Badger's husband is a middle school teacher within Buffalo Public Schools. The disappointing revelation is a reminder for Badger, a teacher herself, to continue the conversation on how teens should be held accountable.
Badger explained, "These are children that grow up to be adults that raise the next generation. If we're not reaching them and if they're not having any consequences for the actions that they're taking, what are they going to teach? What happens when there's no consequence? You're liable to do it over and over and over."
Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia doubled down on the accountability factor.
"For the owners of those vehicles, the people reporting them stolen, we need you to move forward with charges. We need you to sign charges. Take bail reform out of it. Take all the legal stuff out of it, it's obviously a significant issue," Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia explained.
Detectives said the Erie County's Air 1 Chopper had been following the three alleged Kia carjackers. The helicopter was bought by Erie County in 2002 and has been flying since 2003, helping agencies in Erie County and beyond, including in Canada.
Erie County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant Jeremy Lehning said Air 1 is a tool used at least once a day.
"It helps exponentially. We're available to any agency in the area. Air 1 is a regional asset. If an agency needs the aircraft and it's airborne, we can get to them," said Erie County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant Jeremy Lehning.
Air 1 has been a game-changer when executing wide searches.
Gramaglia said they are advocating on the police and district attorney's side to make immediate changes because these crimes cannot continue.
"I want these kids to get help and I want them to get on the right track, Gramaglia said. "We have a lot more, in the criminal justice system, ability to hold them accountable and to keep them on track when there is some sort of thumb over them."
As for Badger, she will be pressing charges regarding the damages to her home, which will cost upwards of $14,500 for the porch alone.
Badger explained, "If you even have the freedom to leave your house, steal a car, and come back home and go to school like nothing happened, we need to go a little higher. So, if there's somebody who is in the field, grassroots effort, major effort, it doesn't matter, we need to band around our community."
