Talking to Police About a Theft

Reporting stolen items to the police and filing a report.

You
Disculpe, oficial. Me robaron mi mochila con mi pasaporte y mi teléfono.
dees-KOOL-peh, oh-fee-see-AHL. meh roh-BAH-rohn mee moh-CHEE-lah kohn mee pah-sah-POHR-teh ee mee teh-LEH-foh-noh.
Excuse me, officer. They stole my backpack with my passport and phone.
'Me robaron' (they robbed me) is the key phrase. For pickpocketing specifically, you can say 'Me sacaron la cartera' (they took my wallet).
Officer
¿Dónde y cuándo ocurrió el robo? ¿Vio a la persona que lo hizo?
DOHN-deh ee KWAHN-doh oh-koo-RREE-oh ehl ROH-boh? vee-OH ah lah pehr-SOH-nah keh loh EE-soh?
Where and when did the theft happen? Did you see the person who did it?
You
Fue hace una hora, en el mercado central. No vi quién fue, estaba muy lleno de gente.
fweh AH-seh OO-nah OH-rah, ehn ehl mehr-KAH-doh sehn-TRAHL. noh vee kee-EHN fweh, ehs-TAH-bah mooy YEH-noh deh HEHN-teh.
It was an hour ago, at the central market. I didn't see who it was, it was very crowded.
Officer
Necesitamos hacer un reporte oficial. ¿Tiene una copia de su pasaporte?
neh-seh-see-TAH-mohs ah-SEHR oon reh-POHR-teh oh-fee-see-AHL. tee-EH-neh OO-nah KOH-pee-ah deh soo pah-sah-POHR-teh?
We need to file an official report. Do you have a copy of your passport?
Always keep a photocopy or photo of your passport separate from the original. The police report ('reporte' or 'denuncia') is essential for insurance claims and embassy replacement.
You
Sí, tengo una foto en mi correo electrónico. ¿Dónde está la embajada más cercana?
see, TEHN-goh OO-nah FOH-toh ehn mee koh-RREH-oh eh-lehk-TROH-nee-koh. DOHN-deh ehs-TAH lah ehm-bah-HAH-dah mahs sehr-KAH-nah?
Yes, I have a photo in my email. Where is the nearest embassy?