Found an item? Your responsibilities

What to do when you find someone else's property — your responsibilities and how to return it safely.

Found something in Boone? Handling it responsibly protects both you and the owner. Rules vary by location, but the principles are consistent.

Make a reasonable effort to find the owner. Check for ID, contact details, or anything that identifies who it belongs to.
Don't assume it's yours to keep. Keeping found property without trying to return it can have legal consequences. When in doubt, hand it in.
Hand valuables to the authorities. Report significant or high-value finds to the police non-emergency line for Boone; they'll log it and may issue a reference.
Store it safely. Keep the item secure and unchanged while you try to return it.
Post a found listing. Add a found-item listing for Boone with enough detail for the real owner to identify it — while holding back one verifying detail.

Helpful resources for Boone

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Boone

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Found holiday decorations near Mast General Store

I was walking downtown Boone, North Carolina, around 7:40 pm last Friday when I spotted a tote of holiday decorations lying by the curb near Mast General Store on King Street. Inside were strings of lights, a red garland, and a handful of ornaments that still smell faintly of pine. They look like they'd belong to someone who was decking the halls for a family gathering or a small neighborhood party. I picked them up thinking the rightful owner would prefer to have them returned through the site.

near Mast General Store on King Street, downtown Boone about 24 hours ago

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Found: Two toasters on Boone sidewalk

Yesterday around 4:15 PM I was walking my dog along West King Street by the ASU Student Union when I spotted two toasters sitting on a bench outside a cafe. They looked a bit dusty but otherwise intact, with chrome gleaming in the late afternoon light. The cords were tangled with a leaf, and there was no name tag or sticker to identify the owner. I know how easy it is to forget something in a rush, so I am posting here in the hope the right person spots them and can claim them. If these are yours, please reply through the site with any identifying marks and brands so we can reunite you.

Near the ASU Student Union on West King St 7 days ago

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Natural wood cajon found on West King St

I found a natural wood cajon this afternoon around 2:30pm behind the Boone Community Theatre on West King Street, near the old train depot. It's about 12 inches tall and 9 inches wide, with a warm honey color and a few tiny scratches on the front panel. There’s a bright blue star sticker on the upper left corner and a faint Meinl logo along the back edge. It’s in decent shape overall, no cracks, just weathered from some outdoor storage. If this belongs to someone, I’d love to help get it back; reach out through the app so we can arrange a meetup nearby.

Boone about 2 months ago

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Walnut round coffee table with shelf

I found a walnut round coffee table this afternoon around 3:15pm behind the ASU Student Union on Rivers Street, Boone, NC. It’s a sturdy mid-century style piece, about 40 inches across, with a smooth top and a simple lower shelf. The finish is generally good, but there are a few signs of wear: a shallow scratch along the left edge, a tiny dent on one leg, and a faded price-tag sticker on the underside. A couple of unique details stand out—there’s a small knot in the wood grain on the underside of the shelf and one leg is missing its felt pad. If this might be yours, you can email me at [email protected] with a description so we can reunite it with its owner.

Boone 3 months ago

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Black leather briefcase with brass latch and laptop sleeve

I found a black leather briefcase this afternoon around 3:15pm, just outside Mast General Store on King Street in downtown Boone. It's a sturdy, well-made case with a brass latch that still snaps neatly and a soft grey padded laptop sleeve inside that can fit up to a 15-inch laptop. The corners show light wear and there’s a small coffee stain along the bottom edge, but overall it’s in good condition. Inside I found a slim brown leather cardholder and a folded note in the main pocket that reads 'Property of: Ava Kim.' If the owner sees this, I’d really like to get it back to you—this stuff matters and I know how stressful it is to lose it.

Boone 3 months ago

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Found DeWALT cordless drill near Boone Plaza

I found a DeWALT cordless drill with a black and yellow body this afternoon around 2:15 pm in the parking lot behind Boone Plaza on Blowing Rock Road, near the CVS. It's a 20V model with a slightly scuffed grip, a cracked label on the battery, and a blue duct-tape ring around the chuck that's marked 'B12' in sharpie. The drill bit is still in the holder and it looks well-used but in good working condition. If this is yours, describe the exact markings on the battery so we can arrange pickup at Boone Plaza Customer Service.

Boone 4 months ago