What to do when something is stolen in North Carolina

North Carolina at a glance

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

North Carolina 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 North Carolina

In Charlotte, a theft that is over can often be reported online. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's online form covers stolen property, theft from a vehicle, damage to property and a lost passport or driver's license, among other categories. You need an email address, you receive a temporary report number, and additions go through 311.

Elsewhere, report to the city police or the county sheriff. The State Highway Patrol handles highway matters; for a household theft, the local agency is the usual first stop. Call 911 if the theft is in progress. Our stolen property guide lists what to have ready, starting with serial numbers.

North Carolina theft law and the felony threshold

North Carolina's line is simple: under G.S. 14-72, larceny of goods worth more than $1,000 is a Class H felony, and $1,000 or less is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Where value is in doubt, the jury fixes it in the verdict.

The more important rule for victims is the list of thefts that are felonies regardless of value:

• Larceny from the person, such as a purse or phone snatching.
• Larceny during a breaking or entering of a building.
• Larceny of any firearm or explosive.
• Larceny after the defendant has at least four prior larceny convictions.

Knowingly receiving or possessing stolen goods is graded on the same value line, so a buyer of stolen property can face the same felony as the person who took it.

Stolen vehicles and license plates in North Carolina

North Carolina charges a stolen car as larceny by value under G.S. 14-72, which puts nearly any vehicle above the $1,000 felony line. Joyriding without intent to keep the car is charged under G.S. 14-72.2, unauthorized use of a motor-propelled conveyance, a Class 1 misdemeanor.

For plates, the NCDMV license plates page says lost, stolen and damaged plates can be replaced only in person at a license plate agency, with a completed MVR-18 form, a completed License Plate Turn In Verification form (MVR-18A) when the plate was lost or stolen, and proof of North Carolina liability insurance. For a stolen personalized plate, NCDMV waits until the old plate's expiration date passes before reissuing the same text, because someone may be using the plate illegally. Report the theft to police too. The state runs no public stolen vehicle search; see check if stolen and our stolen vehicle guide.

Pawn shops and secondhand sales

North Carolina's pawnbroker law, now in Chapter 66, Article 45, requires each pawn ticket to record a description of the item with its model and serial number, plus the pledgor's name, address, date of birth and identification. Those records must be available for inspection and pickup each regular workday by the county sheriff or municipal police chief, and may be reported electronically. Pawn contracts run at least 30 days, and unredeemed items may be sold 60 days past maturity, so report quickly and give police your serial numbers.

Identity theft and fraud help in North Carolina

The Attorney General's Protecting Consumers section offers identity theft help, explains free security freezes, and accepts consumer complaints online. File at IdentityTheft.gov for a federal recovery plan, then work through our identity theft guide and stolen wallet checklist.

North Carolina does not require owners to report a lost or stolen firearm, according to the Giffords Law Center, an advocacy group. Gun theft is still a felony at any value, and a report with the serial number is what ties a recovered gun back to you; 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 North Carolina, not legal advice. For your situation, consult an attorney licensed in North Carolina.