What to do when something is stolen in Iowa

Iowa at a glance

Statute text checked on legis.iowa.gov. Laws change; confirm the current version before relying on it.

Iowa by the numbers

These figures count reports made to federal agencies, so they measure what was reported, not every theft. National context is on the theft statistics page.

Reporting a theft in Iowa

Iowa runs a state program for identity theft victims that starts with a local police report, so the report comes first for every kind of theft. Contact the city police or county sheriff where the theft occurred; the Iowa Department of Public Safety, home of the Iowa State Patrol, handles highways and supports local investigations. Call 911 for a crime in progress.

Online filing depends on the city. The West Des Moines Police Department takes online reports when the victim is an individual rather than a business, the incident happened inside city limits, nobody was hurt, there is no evidence or fingerprints to collect, and it is not a crash or a bias crime. Other departments set their own rules. Our stolen property guide covers what to gather first.

Iowa theft law and the felony threshold

Iowa grades theft in five degrees under Iowa Code § 714.2. Theft becomes a felony when the property is worth more than $1,500:

• Fifth degree: $300 or less, a simple misdemeanor.
• Fourth degree: over $300 to $750, a serious misdemeanor.
• Third degree: over $750 to $1,500, an aggravated misdemeanor.
• Second degree: over $1,500 to $10,000, a class D felony.
• First degree: over $10,000, a class C felony.

Two exceptions change the grade. A person with two prior theft convictions commits third-degree theft even for property worth $750 or less. And a motor vehicle is treated as second-degree theft, a felony, whatever its value, unless it is worth more than $10,000, in which case it is first-degree theft.

Stolen vehicles and license plates in Iowa

Because the theft statute treats any motor vehicle as at least a class D felony, an inexpensive car is protected the same way as a mid-priced one. Motorized bicycles are the stated exception. Report a stolen vehicle to local police with the plate and VIN (vehicle identification number), then contact your insurer and lienholder.

For plates, the Iowa Department of Transportation says replacements are issued at your County Treasurer's Office; bring your current registration and any remaining plate. The DOT page does not say whether a police report is required, but having the case number on hand helps if the stolen plate later turns up on another vehicle. We found no public state-run stolen vehicle search in Iowa. See our stolen vehicle checklist and how to check if an item is stolen.

Pawn shops and secondhand sales

We did not confirm a statewide pawn holding period in Iowa; pawn and secondhand dealer reporting is largely a matter of local ordinance. In Des Moines, a 2021 report in the local newspaper Cityview said police use LeadsOnline, an online investigation system that collects transaction details and photos from reporting businesses, to trace pawned property. Give the investigating officer serial numbers, photos and distinguishing marks, and do not confront a dealer yourself.

Identity theft and fraud help in Iowa

Iowa offers victims an Identity Theft Passport. Created by Iowa Code § 715A.9A, the Attorney General's passport program issues victims an official document they can show to police, creditors and credit bureaus to show that their identity was misused. Victims apply through the local law enforcement agency when they file a criminal report, with supporting documents and a photo; the agency forwards the application, and a decision can take up to 30 days. A passport is valid for five years. Also report to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov and to the Consumer Protection Division for scams. Iowa does not require gun owners to report a lost or stolen firearm, according to the Giffords Law Center; see our stolen firearm guide and identity theft checklist.

Checklists for what was stolen

Each guide opens with a checklist in the order to act, with a free printable PDF.

• Domain names
• Identity theft
• Vehicles
• Social media and email
• SIM swap and phone numbers
• Stolen phones
• Bicycles and e-bikes
• Packages and mail
• Wallets, cards and checks
• Passports
• Firearms
• Art and collectibles
• Cryptocurrency

This page is general information about Iowa, not legal advice. For your situation, consult an attorney licensed in Iowa.