Disclosed is an apparatus and method to detect vehicle theft. In one embodiment, a processor may be configured to execute instructions to: receive a vehicle detection signal from a vehicle detector; determine whether a vehicle is present or absent based upon the vehicle detection signal; establish an authentication credential after the vehicle is determined to present; and validate the authentication credential to indicate validated parking. If the vehicle is determined to be absent and an authentication credential to un-park the vehicle has not been validated, a notification action may be transmitted to appropriate personnel to indicate that the vehicle has been moved or un-parked without proper authentication.