What to do when something is stolen in Maryland

Maryland at a glance

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

Maryland 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 Maryland

Maryland has tracked vehicle theft closely since the General Assembly created the Vehicle Theft Prevention Council in 1994, but every theft case, vehicle or not, starts with a police report. Report to the city or county police department where the theft happened, or to the Maryland State Police for incidents in its jurisdiction.

Baltimore makes minor reports easier. The Baltimore Police Department says that in most cases lost property, destruction of property and theft can be reported online, as long as the incident is not an emergency, there are no known suspects or witnesses, and there is no evidence to collect. Online filers receive a temporary case number, then a permanent report number once the report is approved. Other counties set their own rules, so check your local department.

• Record serial numbers, photos and receipts first.
• Keep the permanent report number for insurers and credit bureaus.

Our stolen property guide lists the full sequence.

Maryland theft law and the felony threshold

Maryland consolidates theft offenses in Criminal Law § 7-104. Theft becomes a felony at $1,500, and a court must also order the property restored or its value paid to the owner at every tier.

• Under $100: misdemeanor, up to 90 days or a $500 fine.
• $100 to under $1,500: misdemeanor, up to 6 months for a first conviction and up to 1 year for a second.
• $1,500 to under $25,000: felony, up to 5 years or a $10,000 fine.
• $25,000 to under $100,000: felony, up to 10 years or a $15,000 fine.
• $100,000 or more: felony, up to 20 years or a $25,000 fine.

Repeat offending changes the picture below the felony line: a person with four or more prior theft convictions faces up to five years even for a theft under $1,500, although the offense remains a misdemeanor.

Stolen vehicles and license plates in Maryland

Vehicle theft surged in Maryland. The Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council, 2024 Annual Report states that thefts rose 99% to 23,955 in 2023 from 12,019 in 2022, and that 55.0% of the $343,387,922 in reported theft value was recovered. The Council, housed with the State Police, funds grants for law enforcement, prosecutors, juvenile programs and public education through a dedicated Vehicle Theft Prevention Fund.

The law gives prosecutors two tools. Criminal Law § 7-105 makes taking a motor vehicle out of the owner's custody without consent a felony punishable by up to five years, whatever the vehicle is worth. The same act can also be charged as theft under § 7-104, graded by value.

Report a stolen car or plate to police by phone or in person with the VIN (vehicle identification number) and plate number so it enters the national crime database, then notify your insurer and the Motor Vehicle Administration; check the MVA's current instructions for replacement plates. Our stolen vehicle checklist has the details.

Pawn shops and secondhand sales

Maryland licenses dealers who buy secondhand precious metal objects such as jewelry. Under Business Regulation § 12-305, a dealer must keep an acquired object in the county of licensure until at least 18 days after submitting the acquisition record required by § 12-304. Section 12-306 allows authorized officers to enter the business during business hours to inspect records and objects in a stolen property investigation. Give police photos and descriptions quickly so they can match items during that hold. Before buying used goods, read our check-if-stolen guide.

Identity theft and fraud help in Maryland

Start at IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan, file a police report, and place a fraud alert or credit freeze. Check your reports at AnnualCreditReport.com. The Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division handles scams and consumer complaints. Our identity theft guide and stolen wallet checklist walk through each step.

Gun owners have a firm deadline: Maryland requires reporting a lost or stolen handgun or assault weapon to local police within 72 hours, according to the Giffords Law Center, an advocacy group. See our stolen firearm guide.

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 Maryland, not legal advice. For your situation, consult an attorney licensed in Maryland.