According to attorney Terrance Keenan of Foster Pepper PLLC, you should contact the police. If the incident occurred within the Seattle city limits, call the non-emergency line for the Seattle Police Department at (206) 625-5011, call 911, or visit the police precinct located where the incident occurred.

If your possessions have been taken without your permission, you have been the victim of a theft. If your possessions have been taken in a confrontation (like the person uses force, violence, or fear to take your property), you have been the victim of a robbery.

The police will ask you where the theft or robbery occurred and information about your property, including its physical characteristics, estimated value, serial number (if it has one), and other details you can provide. If you have been robbed, you will also be asked to provide a description of the robber: height and weight; skin, hair and eye color; clothing worn; and any tattoos, scars, piercings, or other distinguishing physical features.

If you have been injured in a robbery — even if you know the person or see him/her often — dial 911. For your own safety, try to avoid visiting areas where you often see the person until he or she is caught.

After the 911 dispatcher asks you about your injuries, an officer will respond to your call and, if you are injured, the officer will take you to the hospital. The officer will prepare a report with details of the incident, descriptions of the missing or stolen property and your injuries, and your contact information. You must give a location and phone number where the police can contact you. If you do not have a permanent residence, you can identify a shelter you frequent or a place where you can receive a message.

Unfortunately, the odds of finding a theft or robbery suspect or recovering stolen property is low. Nevertheless, taking these steps may get you the best possible result.

Contact the police as soon as possible. Always stay on the phone with them until they tell you to hang up. If you do not have access to a phone and cannot visit a precinct, visit a local hospital or shelter and ask to call 911.

If you are confronted by a robber, do not fight back. The longer the robbery takes, the more nervous the robber will become and the more likely the robber might injure you. Best thing is to cooperate and try to remember details about the robber so you can provide the best description to the police.

If your car was broken into, try not to touch anything. The police might be able to locate fingerprints on the car or other property that will help them identify the thief.

Once the thief or robber is gone, look around for your property. He or she may have disposed of your possessions in nearby alleys, trashcans, dumpsters, or bushes.

Answers are intended for general information only and are not intended to take the place of the advice of your own attorney. Ask a Lawyer is in partnership with the Access to Justice Institute at Seattle University and Foster Pepper. Got questions? E-mail: atji@seattleu.edu.