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

Helpful resources for Indianapolis

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Indianapolis

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FOUND USB drives on a bench in Indianapolis

I was walking through downtown Indianapolis this afternoon when I spotted three USB drives left on a bench outside the Indianapolis City Market on Market Street. It was 4:15 PM, and the late sun lit the storefronts with a warm glow. The drives were in a blue silicone sleeve, slightly scuffed, and I didn’t peek inside or read any labels—privacy matters. I held onto them because I know how stressful it is to misplace equipment that might hold work or memories. If you recognize the sleeve or the colors, please check back on this listing and reclaim them through the site.

near the Indianapolis City Market, Market Street 16 days ago

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FOUND Hats near Monument Circle, Indianapolis

I was walking around Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis around 4:10 p.m. today when I spotted a small pile of hats tucked under a bench near the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. There was a navy knit beanie, a gray felt fedora, and a bright pink baseball cap, all kicked together as if someone had shrugged them off in a hurry. I picked them up, checked for a name tag, and kept them safe until someone could claim them. It always stings a bit to imagine losing something as simple as a hat.

near the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Monument Circle 18 days ago

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Found: two remote controls near Circle Centre Mall

I was strolling through the Circle Centre Mall concourse in downtown Indianapolis around 7:10 p.m. on Tuesday when two remote controls slid out from under a seat and dropped behind a bench by the food court. One is a black universal remote with a red power button; the other is gray with a blue sticker that reads 'Kell.' They look like they belong to someone who was planning a cozy TV night, and it felt right to pick them up. If these belong to you, please reach out through the site so we can get them back to their owner.

by Circle Centre Mall fountain, downtown Indianapolis 27 days ago

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Black leather wallet found near Circle Centre

Found a black leather bifold wallet this afternoon around 1:30pm outside the Circle Centre Mall on Maryland Street, downtown Indianapolis. It's a Fossil-brand wallet with a red interior, slim and worn at the bottom left corner. A few loyalty cards peek out from the slots and there's a faded photo tucked into the ID window along with a coffee stain on the top edge. I'm hoping to return it to its owner—if you’re missing it, please reach out.

Indianapolis 2 months ago

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Bright blue plush dragon stuffed toy

I found a bright blue plush dragon stuffed toy this afternoon around 4:15 pm near the Children's Museum of Indianapolis off 30th Street, along the Canal Walk. It's about 12 inches tall, made of soft fabric, with a yellow belly and tiny red horns. There's a small red heart patch on its wing and a couple of loose threads along the seam—definitely been loved. I figured someone out there is missing it and would want it back. If the owner sees this, please reach out—it's clearly been treasured.

Indianapolis 3 months ago

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Roland electronic keyboard found near Circle Centre

I found a black Roland FP-10 electronic keyboard this afternoon around 4:15pm tucked behind Circle Centre Mall on Maryland Street in downtown Indianapolis. It's an 88-key portable piano in pretty good condition, with a few light scratches along the top panel and a small dent on the right edge near the volume knob. It comes with a folding stand and the power adapter is wrapped in a bright blue Velcro strap so you can spot it easily. There’s a white sticker on the bottom edge that reads 'S7-Blue' which should help identify the owner. I know how important it is for a musician to have their instrument back, so I’m hoping to reunite it with its owner.

Indianapolis 3 months ago