[ksenofob]

I called the police station to report the theft over the phone. They said that it could not be done over the phone, you only had to come in person. I told them that I had a coronavirus and I could not come, but they said that I had to wait until I recovered and then come to the station.

I don't understand, are they lying or is it really true?

Police don't lie, social engineers do.

For security reasons, some police stations do not allow to file a report over the phone. They need to verify you In person, hence request to attend the station personally.

What should I do about it if I really can't come to the station?
State of NJ

Are you able to file It online?

That's weird, the law doesn't prohibit it, I can report a crime over the phone, am I right? Moreover, I personally know people who have reported the theft over the phone, but it was in another state. So it's weird...

There is no such form on the site, now I will try to email them.

[mothered]

That's weird, the law doesn't prohibit it, I can report a crime over the phone, am I right?

Reporting a crime Is one thing, filing a report Is quite another.

The former can be done anonymously by anyone, whereas the latter Is a dedicated document to the person filing It, hence requires ID verification.