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

Helpful resources for Delaware

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Delaware

found G

Found a set of radios

I was walking along Market Street in Wilmington around 4:15 p.m. last Saturday when I spotted a rugged black case tucked behind a bench near Independence Mall. Inside were two radios, one with a dented corner and a frayed cord. I picked everything up, brought them home, and have kept them safe on my shelf since, hoping they belong to someone who uses them for work. I’d love to see the owner reclaim them—if this sounds like your gear, check the model numbers and see if they ring a bell.

Sentimental

Market Street near Independence Mall, Wilmington about 9 hours ago

found A

Charcoal hoodie with white logo, found near Market Street

Found a charcoal gray Nike hoodie this afternoon around 2:15pm in the bike rack area behind the Chase Bank on Market Street in Wilmington, Delaware. It's a size L with a faded white Nike swoosh on the chest and a little fraying on the cuffs. Inside the left pocket there's a small sewn patch that reads 'Cape Henlopen Surf Club'—definitely a standout detail. It was lying on the ground after I paused to stretch during my walk along the Riverfront. If this belongs to you, I’m happy to get it back—just drop a line here and we can arrange a quick meetup nearby.

Delaware about 1 month ago

found P

Blue backstage pass and concert ticket stub

I found a blue backstage pass on a matching lanyard, this afternoon around 2:15pm behind the Grand Opera House on Market Street in downtown Wilmington, Delaware. The lanyard is royal blue with white 'Live Nation' lettering, and the pass has a small holographic seal. The ticket stub is perforated, with the event date printed and a faint coffee stain near the corner. This looks like a keepsake more than a generic pass, and I’d really like to get it back to its owner if possible.

Delaware about 2 months ago

found P

Blue knit beanie with snowflake pattern and fox patch

I found a blue knit beanie this afternoon around 2:15pm near the Riverfront Promenade along Market Street in Wilmington, Delaware. It's a medium-weight acrylic hat, a bit worn, with a bold white snowflake pattern and a small fox patch stitched on the brim. It’s clearly a winter staple, maybe a favorite for chilly days on the boardwalk. There’s a tiny red thread snag near the cuff, which I thought could help identify it as unique. I’m posting this here because it looks like someone’s been missing it; if this belongs to you, I’d be glad to arrange pickup or drop-off at a nearby cafe in the area.

Delaware 2 months ago

found P

Found blue-yellow cockatiel near Christiana Mall

Found a blue-yellow cockatiel this afternoon around 3:15pm outside the Christiana Mall in Newark, Delaware, perched on a bench by the Boscov's entrance. It’s a bright little bird, mostly gray body with a vivid yellow face and blue cheek patches, and a chipped tail feather that sticks out a bit. There’s a small plastic leg band that reads DE-24, and I noticed a tiny scratch above its left eye. It seemed calm but a little nervous, hopping between my hand and the railing. If this belongs to you, I’d love to help get it back home—it's clearly someone's pet and I know it means a lot to you.

Delaware 4 months ago

found P

Gold alto sax found near Riverfront, Wilmington

I found a gold alto saxophone this afternoon around 2:15pm in the parking lot behind the Delaware Children's Museum on Justison Street in Wilmington, Delaware. The horn has a bright lacquer finish with a small dent near the bell and initials 'MR' engraved on the bell, plus a vintage blue neck strap still attached to the case. The black hard case shows some scuffing and the zipper pull is a bit frayed, but everything else seems intact. If this is yours, message me through the site and we can arrange a safe hand-off near Market Street and Riverfront.

Delaware 5 months ago