What to do when something is stolen in Kansas

Kansas at a glance

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

Kansas 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 Kansas

Kansas changed its car theft law in 2026, so a theft that would once have been a misdemeanor may now be a felony, and an accurate report of the vehicle's value matters more than before. Report to the city police or county sheriff where the theft happened. The Kansas Highway Patrol handles highways and does not take household theft reports online.

Some departments route simple cases to phone units. The Wichita Police Department takes reports that do not need an officer by phone, including larceny without evidence, auto theft without suspect information, lost property and vandalism. Other cities set their own rules. Call 911 for a crime in progress. Our stolen property guide lists what to have ready.

Kansas theft law and the felony threshold

Under K.S.A. 21-5801, theft of property or services worth $1,500 or more is a felony. Kansas grades felonies by severity level, from 1 (most serious) to 10 (least serious):

• Under $1,500: class A nonperson misdemeanor.
• $1,500 to under $25,000: severity level 9 felony.
• $25,000 to under $100,000: severity level 7 felony.
• $100,000 or more: severity level 5 felony.

Several lower-value thefts are still felonies. Theft of a firearm worth under $25,000 is a level 9 felony. So is theft of property under $1,500 from three separate stores, or of mail from three separate locations, within 72 hours, and theft of $50 or more by someone with two or more theft convictions in the preceding five years. "Nonperson" means the offense is classified as a property crime rather than a crime against a person, which affects sentencing.

Stolen vehicles and license plates in Kansas

Kansas historically graded car theft only by value, so an older vehicle worth under $1,500 was a misdemeanor theft. House Bill 2347, signed by the governor in February 2026 and listed by the Legislature as effective July 1, 2026, adds a new tier: theft of a motor vehicle worth at least $500 but less than $1,500 is a severity level 10 nonperson felony. Vehicles worth $1,500 or more remain graded under the general value tiers.

Report a stolen vehicle to local police with the plate and VIN (vehicle identification number), then notify your insurer and lender. We found no public state-run stolen vehicle search. The Division of Vehicles points consumers to NMVTIS, the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, as a tool to keep stolen vehicles from being resold; its site does not post stolen plate instructions, so contact the Division or your county vehicle office with your police case number about a replacement. 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 or secondhand dealer holding period for Kansas. Reporting and holding rules for pawnshops and precious metal dealers can be set by city or county, so ask the officer on your case whether local pawn records are checked. Provide serial numbers, photos and distinguishing marks, and leave any recovery to police.

Identity theft and fraud help in Kansas

The Kansas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division enforces the Wayne Owen Act, the state's identity theft law, and its consumer protection specialists help residents who suspect identity theft. Report the theft to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov and to local police so you have both records for creditors and credit bureaus. Kansas does not require gun owners to report a lost or stolen firearm, according to the Giffords Law Center, but firearm theft is a felony at any value under 21-5801 and a report protects the owner; 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 Kansas, not legal advice. For your situation, consult an attorney licensed in Kansas.