What to do when something is stolen in Nebraska

Nebraska at a glance

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

Nebraska 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 Nebraska

Most thefts in Nebraska are reported to the city police department or, outside city limits, the county sheriff. The Nebraska State Patrol handles highway matters and supports local agencies, but it is rarely the first stop for a household theft. Call 911 if the theft is in progress or anyone is in danger.

Omaha, the state's largest city, added an online form for non-emergency crimes in 2022. The Omaha Police Department lists shoplifting, fraud and missing property among the incidents it accepts that way. Other departments set their own rules, so check the agency's current instructions before you file.

Whichever route you use, keep the report number. Insurers, banks and the credit bureaus will ask for it, and a written report is what lets a pawn match or a recovered vehicle be tied back to you. Our stolen property guide covers what to gather before you call.

Nebraska theft law and the felony threshold

Nebraska grades theft by the value of what was taken under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-518. Theft becomes a felony at $1,500.

• $500 or less: Class II misdemeanor.
• More than $500, less than $1,500: Class I misdemeanor.
• $1,500 to less than $5,000: Class IV felony.
• $5,000 or more: Class IIA felony.

Two features stand out. First, repeat offenses escalate: a third conviction for theft of $500 or less, or a second conviction in the $500 to $1,500 band, is charged as a Class IV felony when the earlier conviction falls within ten years. Second, amounts taken in one scheme or course of conduct may be added together, which matters in shoplifting rings and repeated small frauds. Value is an element the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt, so receipts, appraisals and photographs in your report carry real weight.

Stolen vehicles and license plates in Nebraska

Nebraska has no stand-alone auto theft statute. A stolen car is charged as theft by its value, which often places it in felony territory. A separate offense, unauthorized use of a propelled vehicle (§ 28-516), covers operating another person's car, motorcycle, boat or airplane without consent. It starts as a Class III misdemeanor and becomes a Class IV felony on a third offense.

Report a stolen vehicle to local police first, with the VIN (vehicle identification number) and plate number, so it can be entered into the national crime database. Vehicle registration and plates in Nebraska are handled through county treasurers working with the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles; ask your county treasurer how to replace stolen plates. Nebraska does not run a public stolen vehicle search, so use the national tools on our check if stolen page and see the stolen vehicle guide.

Pawn shops and secondhand sales

Nebraska is one of the states with a clear daily reporting rule. Under § 69-204, pawnbrokers, secondhand dealers and junk dealers must record the date, the seller's name, signature, date of birth and identification, and a full description of the item, including any serial number. Under § 69-205, they must deliver a copy of each record to the local police department, or the sheriff where there is none, by noon each day except Sunday.

The practical lesson: serial numbers solve cases. Give police every serial number, photo and distinguishing mark you have, so a dealer's record can be matched to your report.

Identity theft and fraud help in Nebraska

The Nebraska Attorney General's consumer protection division runs Protect the Good Life, where residents can file complaints, report scams and read the office's identity theft guidance. If your wallet, phone or account details were taken with the property, also file at IdentityTheft.gov and consider a credit freeze. Our identity theft guide and stolen wallet checklist set out the order of steps.

Nebraska has no statewide duty to report a lost or stolen gun, according to the Giffords Law Center, an advocacy group. Reporting is still the owner's best protection if the firearm is later used in a crime; see stolen firearm.

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