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 Deep East Texas? 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 Deep East Texas; 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 Deep East Texas with enough detail for the real owner to identify it — while holding back one verifying detail.

Helpful resources for Deep East Texas

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Deep East Texas

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Found: CDs in Deep East Texas

Back on Main Street in Center around 12:45 p.m. today, a loose stack of CDs slid out from behind a payphone by the old grocery store. The cases show a mix of classic rock and country, some with warped edges from a rough ride in a backpack. I gathered them up and slid them into a tote to keep them safe on a warm afternoon through Deep East Texas. If these are yours, you’ll recognize the faded neon concert photo on one jacket and the scratches on the spine.

Sentimental

Main Street, near the courthouse square, Center 13 days ago

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FOUND: Travel Adapters in Deep East Texas

On Friday at 6:15 p.m., I found travel adapters tucked behind a bench near Center Square in Deep East Texas. They were in a small black pouch, dusty from the sun, with a tangle of cords sticking out. Seeing those adapters felt like a small ray of hope for someone traveling through this region, and I could sense how much someone relies on them when away from home. I kept them safe and posted this here in the hope they reach their owner soon.

Center Square, near the courthouse 2 months ago

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Found enamel pins near Main Street corner.

I was walking home around 7:45 PM along Main Street in Lufkin, Deep East Texas, when a small tin of enamel pins lay beside the curb near the old City Hall building. The pins were a jumble of shapes—Texas outlines, a tiny bicycle, and a few vintage sports badges—clearly loved by someone. I picked them up and checked nearby stores, but no one claimed them. If these pins belong to you, please flag this listing so we can arrange a pickup through the site.

near the old City Hall on Main St, Lufkin 2 months ago

found A

Red leather address book with handwritten contacts

I found a small red leather address book this afternoon around 3pm tucked under the bench near the parking lot behind the public library on Main Street in Nacogdoches, Deep East Texas. It's about 3 by 4 inches, with a worn spine and a few pages curling at the edges. Inside are names and phone numbers in blue ink, plus a sticky note that says 'Call Mom' in neat cursive. A faded photo sits between pages 7 and 8, and there’s an entry labeled 'Aunt Rosa' with a number ending in 4821. It looks recently used and clearly treasured. If someone recognizes it, I’d love to get it back to its owner—two of the entries and the photo’s subject should help verify ownership.

Deep East Texas 3 months ago

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Gray Nike running shoes with pink heart sticker

I found a pair of gray Nike running shoes today, in Deep East Texas. They're women's size 9, mostly gray with white soles and a black swoosh, and they're in pretty good condition with just a few scuffs on the toe. I found them around 3:15 pm in the parking lot behind the Walmart on 1st Street in Lufkin, near the big oak tree by the entrance. One shoe has a pink heart sticker on the tongue and the left insole says Nike, so there are a couple of identifying quirks to help the owner spot them.

Deep East Texas 5 months ago

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Sunburst Fender acoustic guitar

Found a sunburst Fender CD-60 acoustic guitar this afternoon around 4:15 pm behind the courthouse on 3rd Street in Lufkin, Deep East Texas. It’s a full-size dreadnought with a glossy sunburst finish, natural spruce top, and rosewood fingerboard; a few scratches on the pickguard and a small dent on the lower bout show its age. A frayed blue nylon strap is still attached, and there’s a faded sticker tucked inside the soundhole with the initials J.R. written in black. No obvious case was nearby. If you’re the owner, I’d really like to help get it back to you—please get in touch so we can coordinate a pickup.

Deep East Texas 5 months ago