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

Helpful resources for Eastern NC

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Eastern NC

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Blue 28-inch TravelPro suitcase found in Wilmington

I found this blue 28-inch TravelPro suitcase this morning around 9:15am in the parking lot behind the Walmart on Market Street in Wilmington, NC. It’s a sturdy hard-shell with a red cruise-line tag on the handle, a small dent on the bottom edge, and a built-in TSA lock that still works. Inside I spotted packing cubes and a couple of chargers, but no ID or travel documents. If this belongs to you, tell me the lining color or a distinctive item you packed and we’ll figure out a safe pickup near the Cape Fear River area.

Eastern NC about 1 month ago

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Silver ring with starfish engraving and sapphire

I found a silver-toned ring this afternoon around 3:20pm near the New Bern Farmers Market on South Front Street in New Bern, NC, in Eastern NC, just outside Tryon Palace. It's a slender ring, about a size 6, with a tiny blue sapphire set in a simple bezel and a delicate starfish engraving on the outside. The band has a brushed matte finish and an '925' stamp on the inner side. It's in decent condition, a bit dusty from lying on the pavement, and I'm holding onto it safely until the owner shows up.

Eastern NC about 1 month ago

found A

Found walnut coffee table with brass knob

I found a walnut coffee table this afternoon around 4pm behind the Harris Teeter on Market Street in Wilmington, Eastern NC. It's about 3 feet long and 1.5 feet tall, solid wood with a single shallow drawer. The top has a couple of coffee cup rings and a few nicks along the edge. The drawer front has a brass knob, and on the inside edge is a tiny initials 'JL' etched with a knife. There’s a faded sticker on the bottom that says 'Horizon Home.' It’s in decent condition overall. If this looks familiar, drop me a note here and we can arrange pickup in Wilmington.

Eastern NC about 1 month ago

found A

Gold-tone bracelet with crab charm

I found a gold-tone bracelet this afternoon around 4pm in the parking lot behind the public library on Middle Street in New Bern, NC (Eastern NC). It's a slim 7-inch piece with a crab charm and a tiny blue enamel seahorse charm. The inside of the clasp is stamped 'JJ' and there's a delicate shell pattern etched into the links. It looks gently worn and clean, like it might have meant something to someone. If this belongs to you, I’d really like to help you get it back—hope this helps locate the owner.

Eastern NC 3 months ago

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DeWalt cordless drill kit in yellow case

I found a DeWalt cordless drill kit this afternoon around 3:15pm in the parking lot behind the Walmart on S. Evans Street in Greenville, NC. The kit is a bright yellow and black 20V drill with two batteries and a charger. The case has a small dent on the corner and blue painter's tape with the initials 'J.C.' stuck to the top. It looks gently used but seems functional, and I figured someone might be missing it after finishing a project. If you're the owner and recognize these details, please reach out so I can help you get it back—it's not mine, I just want to reunite you with it.

Eastern NC 4 months ago

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Neon green Nike running jacket found near Wrightsville Beach

I found a neon green Nike running jacket this afternoon around 2:15pm on the Wrightsville Beach Boardwalk, near Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, here in Eastern NC. It’s a men's size Medium, bright lime with black mesh panels along the sides, and a small reflective stripe running along the back. The zipper pull has a tiny orange crab charm that really caught my eye. The jacket looks lightly worn but clean, no stains, and the Nike swoosh on the chest is still crisp. I figured someone might be missing it after a beach run, and it seems like it could mean a lot to the owner to have it back.

Eastern NC 6 months ago