Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt wants to boost penalties against carjacking suspects.

Schmitt tells Missourinet carjacking statistics are near epidemic levels in Missouri.

“These statistics are staggering,” Schmitt says. “Behind these statistics are shattered lives, lives that were violently upended by carjackings.”

Schmitt says violent crime does not discriminate and criminals have been emboldened by Missouri’s inability to effectively prosecute them.

A bill filed last week, would let prosecutors could charge suspected carjackers with vehicle hijacking instead the typical charge of robbery.

Those who use a weapon during the crime could be sentenced to 10 years to life in prison.