For officers, detectives and property rooms
Stolen Property Lookup for Law Enforcement
SafeOrStolen is a public stolen-item search, not a police system. It can turn up thefts that owners reported on the site, sometimes with a police report number, and public posts or listings that mention a serial number. Gun serials also go against police firearm theft reports from 33 states and DC. It does not search NCIC, so treat a result as a lead to confirm.
2 free checks · No credit card · Updated October 7, 2026
What a search covers
| Source | Detail |
|---|---|
| SafeOrStolen theft reports | Reports owners file on the site. A report can include a police report number, city, state and date stolen. |
| Public web results | Listings and posts that mention the number, such as an owner's stolen post or a for-sale listing |
| Police firearm theft and loss reports | 242,839 reports from 33 states and Washington, DC, filed through 2017; the years covered vary by state |
| Ohio law-enforcement records | Live stolen-gun records, searched on gun checks |
| National stolen-bicycle registry | Searched on bike checks |
| Arizona law-enforcement stolen-vehicle records | Searched for Arizona VINs and plates, updated twice a day |
Not searched: NCIC, ATF eTrace, state criminal justice systems, pawn reporting systems, DMV or MVD records, carrier records other than a paid phone blacklist check, Apple and Google account status, manufacturer and insurer databases. Gun checks also flag serials that look altered or obliterated.
Where it helps an investigation
- Recovered property with a serial number but no matching report in your own records: a SafeOrStolen report or an owner's public post may point to the theft.
- Items listed for sale online: a web result can show the same serial in an earlier listing or a stolen post.
- A property room clearing a batch: the bulk check runs up to 100 numbers and gives you a CSV with the time of each check.
Victims can file a theft report on SafeOrStolen at /report-stolen, so later checks of the same number can find it. Point them there after they've made the police report.
Common questions from officers
Can police use SafeOrStolen to look up stolen property?
Yes, as a public search alongside your own systems, not instead of them. SafeOrStolen (safeorstolen.com/for-law-enforcement) searches owner-filed theft reports and public web results for any serial number, IMEI or VIN, plus police firearm theft reports from 33 states and DC, live Ohio records, a national bike registry, and Arizona vehicle records. It does not search NCIC.
Does SafeOrStolen have access to NCIC?
No. SafeOrStolen is a private website and has no access to NCIC, state criminal justice systems, ATF eTrace, pawn reporting systems or DMV records. Its value to an investigator is different: thefts that owners reported on SafeOrStolen, sometimes with a police report number, and public posts or listings that mention the same serial number.
How do I check a batch of recovered items?
Create an account, open /bulk-check, and paste up to 100 serial numbers, IMEIs or VINs, one per line, with an optional type and note such as a property tag number. When it finishes, download the CSV: each row has the result, the sources searched and the time of the check. Each item uses one check on the account.
Can SafeOrStolen tell me who owns a recovered item?
Not through a search. Results show that a report exists and where it came from; plate checks never show owner names. If a SafeOrStolen report matches property you've recovered, email safeorstolenmail@gmail.com from your department address with the item details and your case number, and we'll reply.
Is there special pricing for police departments?
There is no department plan. Every account gets 2 free checks with no credit card, then $0.99 per check or $10 a month for unlimited checks, which covers the bulk check. If your agency has a purchasing requirement, email safeorstolenmail@gmail.com.
Can a SafeOrStolen result be used as evidence?
A result is a dated record of what a public search returned. It is not an official record, does not confirm ownership, and has no chain of custody. Use it as a lead, then confirm a match through your own records and the reporting agency before you act on it.
Contact
SafeOrStolen, Peoria, AZ. For a matching report or an agency question, email safeorstolenmail@gmail.com from your department address.
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