Lost Saxophones in Bakersfield
Description
On Friday at 6:45 p.m., after a small jazz set at Buck Owens' Crystal Palace, I walked toward the Rabobank Arena parking lot and realized my Saxophones weren't in the tan hard-shell case by the back seat. Those instruments have traveled from rehearsal rooms to campus stages, and losing them left me feeling exposed and a little hollow. I retraced the route from the loading dock to the side doors, checking every car and bench along the way. The night air smelled like rain on Bakersfield pavement, and the memory of a rough sound check kept returning to me. If you saw a tan case with two saxophones, please think back to where you might have seen them nearby.
Approximate last-seen location
Pin shows an approximate area, not the exact spot — to protect privacy.
How to safely get your item back
A short checklist to protect you and the item during the handoff.
Verify the finder before meeting
- Ask them to describe a detail not shown in your listing, such as an engraving, scratch, or contents.
- Request a clear photo of the item from an angle you did not post.
- Do not pay any release, shipping, or storage fee.
- Do not share your full address until you have verified them.
Meet in a safe, public place
- Police stations, café entrances, transport hubs, and shop foyers all work.
- Meet during daylight hours where there is CCTV and foot traffic.
- Avoid private homes, car parks at night, or isolated locations.
Bring someone with you
- Tell a friend or family member where you are meeting and when.
- Share your live location with them during the handoff.
- For high-value items, consider contacting your local police station for advice first.
Keep communication on lostandfound.io
- Use the in-app message thread so there is a record if something goes wrong.
- Do not move to WhatsApp, SMS, or email until you have exchanged a verifying detail.
- Never share bank details, government ID numbers, or copies of your ID.