--- title: "Should you report a car break-in to the police in Sacramento?" url: "https://maviautoglass.com/blog/should-you-report-a-car-break-in-to-the-police-in-sacramento/" description: "Where to report a car break-in in the Sacramento area, how the city and Sheriff online reports work and how common break-ins are" content_signal: ai-train=yes, search=yes, ai-input=yes --- # Should you report a car break-in to the police in Sacramento? Where to report a car break-in in the Sacramento area, how the city and Sheriff online reports work and how common break-ins are Yes, you should report a car break-in to the police in Sacramento, even when little was taken, because the report number is what your insurer and the police use to connect the damage, the stolen items and any later recovery. Report it to the agency that covers the place where the car was parked. Inside Sacramento city limits that is the Sacramento Police Department, which offers an online report and a non-emergency line at (916) 808-5471. In unincorporated Sacramento County and in Rancho Cordova it is the Sheriff’s online system, which accepts theft from a vehicle under 10,000 dollars. Call 911 if the break-in is happening now or someone is in danger. Break-ins are common across the region. California Department of Justice data counts 1,967 larcenies from motor vehicles reported to the Sacramento Police Department in 2025. This guide is written by Mavi Auto Glass, a locally owned mobile auto glass company based in Roseville that replaces broken door, back and quarter glass after break-ins across Greater Sacramento, to show where to report, how the city’s online form works and what to have ready. Police procedures change, so confirm the details on each agency’s own page. ## Which agency takes your car break-in report in the Sacramento area? The agency that covers the location of the break-in takes the report, not the one where you live. Many cities in the region have their own police department, so check the address first. Where the car was broken intoAgencyOnline reportNon-emergency lineCity of SacramentoSacramento Police Department[File a Police Report](https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/police/police-services/file-a-police-report)(916) 808-5471Unincorporated Sacramento CountySacramento County Sheriff’s Office[Sheriff online crime reporting](https://www.sacsheriff.com/pages/crime_report.php), theft from a vehicle under 10,000 dollars(916) 874-5115Rancho CordovaRancho Cordova Police Department, through the Sheriff’s systemSame Sheriff online system(916) 362-5115Citrus HeightsCitrus Heights Police Department[Online crime report](https://www.citrusheights.net/1293/File-an-Online-Crime-Report), vehicle burglary listed(916) 727-5500RosevilleRoseville Police Department[Online reporting page](https://www.roseville.ca.gov/police/connect_with_us/online_reporting.php)See the department’s page Elk Grove, Folsom, Rocklin, Lincoln and West Sacramento also have their own police departments. Use the reporting page on each city’s website, and if you are not sure which agency covers the address, the Sacramento Police non-emergency line or the Sheriff can direct you. ## Can you report a car break-in online in the City of Sacramento? A car break-in is not excluded from it. It does not appear on the Sacramento Police Department’s list of incidents that cannot be filed online. That list includes stolen vehicles, lost or stolen license plates, firearm theft or loss, violent crime, arson and traffic collisions with injuries, among others ([City of Sacramento](https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/police/police-services/file-a-police-report)). If your plates or the whole vehicle were taken, or if a gun was in the car, call the non-emergency line instead. You can also file in person at the police headquarters public counter, 5770 Freeport Blvd., open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except City-observed holidays. ## How does the Sacramento Police online report work? You fill in the form section by section, get a temporary report number right away and receive the permanent number by email after the report is approved. The city’s online reporting FAQ describes the process, in 5 steps. - **Draft your description first:** the narrative is limited to 2,000 characters, so write it in a document and paste it in. - **Fill in each section within 30 minutes:** each section times out after 30 minutes, and the timer resets every time you click continue. - **Submit and save the temporary number:** you receive a temporary report number immediately and can print a copy. - **Watch your email:** add CaSacramentoPd@coplogic.com to your trusted senders and check spam if the tracking email does not arrive within 15 minutes. - **Wait for approval:** once the report is approved, a permanent SPD report number is issued and the final report is emailed to you. Source: [Sacramento Police online reporting FAQ](https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/police/police-services/file-a-police-report/online-reporting-faq). ## When can you not use the Sheriff’s online report? You cannot use it when the screening questions point to a case an officer must handle. The Sheriff’s online system covers unincorporated Sacramento County and Rancho Cordova, needs a valid email address and stops you if you answer yes to any of these questions. - Someone received medical treatment for an injury - The crime involved the use or threat of a weapon - Physical evidence was left at the scene - For a theft, someone entered your home, business or locked garage - A motor vehicle or license plate was stolen - The theft from the vehicle was worth 10,000 dollars or more, or included a firearm The Sheriff’s Office says its staff reviews online reports within approximately ten business days and emails the official copy and case number once the report is approved ([Sacramento County Sheriff](https://www.sacsheriff.com/pages/crime_report.php)). ## How common are car break-ins around Sacramento? Common enough that thousands are reported every year. The California Department of Justice OpenJustice data for 2025 lists 1,967 larcenies from motor vehicles reported to the Sacramento Police Department, down from 2,282 in 2024, and 1,347 reported to the Sheriff’s Office. In nearby cities the 2025 counts were 380 in Elk Grove, 254 in Citrus Heights, 243 in Roseville, 198 in Rancho Cordova, 124 in Rocklin, 117 in Folsom, 66 in West Sacramento and 39 in Lincoln ([CA DOJ OpenJustice](https://openjustice.doj.ca.gov/data)). These figures use the state category larceny from motor vehicle and include only incidents that were reported, which is one more reason to file. ## Details to gather before you file the report Have the exact address and approximate time of the break-in, photos of the damage taken before cleanup and a list of what was taken, with brands, models, serial numbers and values where you have them. Describe the broken window and any damage to the door or lock. Keep the report number with your photos, because your insurer will ask for it if you file a claim for the glass or your belongings. Mavi Auto Glass replaces [door glass](/service/door-glass-replacement/), [back glass](/service/back-glass-replacement/) and [quarter and vent glass](/service/quarter-and-vent-glass-replacement/) broken in a break-in, at your home or workplace in most cases.