Car Lost/stolen: How to File a Police Report

How to file the Police report

Filing a Police report is necessary if you cannot find your car or you believe someone has stolen it.

If you have had, your car stolen or you cannot remember where you parked it then contact the local Police department in jurisdiction where you last parked it.

Most Police departments will not take a stolen car report on-line or over the phone and you must go in person to the Police station or you may be able to call the Police to send a Patrol car to your location to take a report.

What you need to file the Police report

You will need proper identification to start the report.  You can be the last person to drive the car to file the report and do not have to be the registered owner.

It is best, but not necessary, to provide the Police with the registration to your vehicle and the license plate number.  If you cannot find the license plate number, you can use your vehicle identification number (VIN).

Why file a lost or stolen car report

Filing a Police report is critical because you want the police to be able to find your car as fast as possible.  Filing the report should cover you in case anyone who may have your car uses it to commit crimes.

Filing Police reports also help the Police track where crime is occurring so they can put more Police resources in the areas where crime is highest.

Conclusion

Filing a lost or stolen car report with the Police is a very detailed process.  The car license plates, VIN number and description of the car will be entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) so if the plates or VIN are ever run by the Police the car will come up as a lost or stolen car.

Make sure, once you file a Police report that you always get your Police report case number and either a receipt that you filed a report or an actual copy of the report for your records. 

Article also posted on AssociatedContent.com by Scott Hallock