What to do when something is stolen in Ohio

Ohio at a glance

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

Ohio 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 Ohio

In Columbus, the state's largest city, many thefts can be reported online, but the rules are specific. The Columbus Division of Police online reporting page accepts theft, theft from a motor vehicle, identity theft, lost property and vandalism when:

• The incident happened inside Columbus city limits.
• You have no suspect name or address.
• Stolen property is worth less than $7,500 and is not a firearm, license plate or vehicle.

Residential break-ins and incidents needing evidence collection require an officer. Elsewhere in Ohio, report to the city or township police or the county sheriff; the Ohio State Highway Patrol handles highway matters. Call 911 if a theft is in progress. Our stolen property guide lists what to gather.

Ohio theft law and the felony threshold

Under Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.02, theft becomes a felony at $1,000.

• Less than $1,000: first degree misdemeanor.
• $1,000 to less than $7,500: fifth degree felony.
• $7,500 to less than $150,000: grand theft, fourth degree felony.
• $150,000 to less than $750,000: aggravated theft, third degree felony.
• $750,000 to less than $1.5 million: second degree felony.
• $1.5 million or more: first degree felony.

Two features push grades higher. A prior felony theft conviction within three years raises the offense to at least grand theft, and two such convictions raise it to aggravated theft. Thefts from elderly people, disabled adults and active duty service members or their spouses are graded more severely, with full restitution and a fine of up to $50,000 when the victim is elderly. Stealing a firearm is grand theft, a third degree felony, and a first degree felony when taken from a federally licensed dealer.

Stolen vehicles and license plates in Ohio

Ohio does not grade car theft by value. Under § 2913.02(B)(5), stealing a motor vehicle is grand theft of a motor vehicle, a fourth degree felony, whether the car is worth $500 or $50,000.

Report a stolen vehicle or stolen plates by phone or in person; Columbus, for example, excludes both from its online system. Give police the VIN (vehicle identification number) and plate number so they can be entered into the national crime database, then contact the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles for its current instructions on replacing plates. Ohio offers no public stolen vehicle search; see check if stolen and our stolen vehicle guide.

Pawn shops and secondhand sales

Ohio's pawnbroker law, Chapter 4727, gives victims real time to act. Every day, a licensed pawnbroker must give the local police chief, or the sheriff where there is no chief, a description of all property pledged or purchased (§ 4727.09). Purchased goods must be held for 15 days unless police allow earlier sale. When police have probable cause to believe an item is stolen and say so in writing, the pawnbroker must hold it for 30 days (§ 4727.12). Pawnbrokers also may not deal with anyone police have identified in writing as a known or suspected thief. Report quickly, and list serial numbers.

Identity theft and fraud help in Ohio

The Ohio Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section runs an Identity Theft Unit that can assign a consumer advocate to contact credit bureaus, creditors and collectors on a victim's behalf. Ohio law also lets the Attorney General issue an identity fraud passport (§ 109.94): after filing a police report, a victim applies through any law enforcement agency, and the card can be shown to police and creditors, who accept it at their discretion. File at IdentityTheft.gov as well, and see our identity theft guide.

Ohio requires owners to report a lost or stolen firearm forthwith, 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 Ohio, not legal advice. For your situation, consult an attorney licensed in Ohio.