What to do when something is stolen in New York

New York at a glance

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

New York 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 New York

In New York City, many thefts that are over can be reported without visiting a precinct. The NYPD's how to report a crime page says crimes not in progress can be reported online for certain report types through NYPD Online, or in person at any precinct. When the portal launched, Fox 5 New York reported that it covered lost property, petit larceny, criminal mischief and graffiti. Copies of filed reports can be requested later through the city's Verification of an Incident service.

Elsewhere, report to the city, town or village police or the county sheriff; the New York State Police also take reports. Call 911 for anything in progress. Our stolen property guide lists what to bring.

New York theft law and the felony threshold

New York calls theft larceny and divides it into petit and grand larceny. Under Penal Law § 155.30, theft becomes a felony once the value exceeds $1,000.

• Petit larceny, $1,000 or less: class A misdemeanor (§ 155.25).
• Grand larceny 4th degree, over $1,000: class E felony (§ 155.30).
• Grand larceny 3rd degree, over $3,000: class D felony (§ 155.35).
• Grand larceny 2nd degree, over $50,000: class C felony (§ 155.40).
• Grand larceny 1st degree, over $1 million: class B felony (§ 155.42).

New York is distinctive in how much property is a felony regardless of value. Grand larceny in the fourth degree also covers credit and debit cards, firearms, public records and anything taken from a person's body, such as a snatched phone or wallet. Retail thefts committed under one scheme may be added together across stores, and deed theft of a home is graded as second-degree grand larceny regardless of value.

Stolen vehicles and license plates in New York

Taking a motor vehicle other than a motorcycle worth more than $100 is grand larceny in the fourth degree, a class E felony, under § 155.30(8). More valuable vehicles can be charged at the third or second degree.

The DMV's lost, stolen or destroyed plates page sets out the process:

• Report stolen plates to the police and ask for form MV-78B, the Report of Lost, Stolen or Confiscated Motor Vehicle Items, which only law enforcement provides.
• If police decline to take a report, complete form MV-1441.3, noting the date you asked and the agency that declined.
• Surrender the registration and bring the MV-78B or police report, a completed MV-82, proof of identity and proof of insurance to a DMV office.

The DMV says no plate fee is charged when the report shows the plates were stolen as a result of a crime. New York offers no public stolen vehicle search; see check if stolen and our stolen vehicle guide.

Pawn shops and secondhand sales

We did not verify a statewide pawn holding period that applies across New York, so treat the rules as varying by city or county. Ask the investigating officer whether local dealers report purchases, and give police every serial number and photograph you have so a dealer's record can be matched to your report.

Identity theft and fraud help in New York

The Attorney General's identity theft page tells victims to contact the creditor tied to the fraud by phone and then in writing, and it explains security freezes. Fraud complaints go through the office's consumer issues section. File at IdentityTheft.gov as well, and follow our identity theft guide and stolen wallet checklist. Because a stolen credit or debit card is itself grand larceny in New York, tell police when cards were in a stolen wallet or bag.

Gun owners face a short deadline. New York requires a report of a lost or stolen firearm or ammunition to police or the sheriff within 24 hours of discovery, according to the Giffords Law Center, an advocacy group. 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 New York, not legal advice. For your situation, consult an attorney licensed in New York.