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

Helpful resources for Lima / Findlay

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Lima / Findlay

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Found drums by Riverside Park, Findlay

I was walking my dog near Riverside Park in Findlay around 6:20 PM on a Tuesday when a lone drum set tucked behind a bench caught my eye. The black shell case looked weathered, sticks poked out from inside, and a faded sticker read L. Ortiz on the drum-head ring. I checked for a tag or note, but there was nothing. It seemed cared for, not abandoned, and the bass drum head still had a clean feel beneath the dust. I slid it into the lobby of the Findlay Public Library, hoping the owner would recognize it there. It felt like a bit of luck to happen upon it, like a heartbeat returning to someone who plays.

Riverside Park bandstand, Findlay 11 days ago

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Found swimsuit at Allen County Fairgrounds, Lima-Findlay

I was walking near the Allen County Fairgrounds in the Lima-Findlay area around 3:12 pm this Saturday when I spotted a swimsuit crumpled on the grass by the bench near the main entrance under the old maple tree. It’s a bright blue piece with a floral trim and a small snag on the strap, clearly worn but not torn. I picked it up and tucked it into my tote for safekeeping, hoping the owner would see this and know someone cared enough to hold onto it. I imagine the owner might be someone who planned a last-minute swim or a family day, and I’m glad I could help keep that plan intact.

near the Allen County Fairgrounds 21 days ago

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Found document holders near Lima, OH

I was walking to the bus stop outside the Allen County Courthouse in Lima around 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday when I spotted a stack of document holders left on a bench. There’s a black leather portfolio, a brown binder labeled 'Contracts,' and a few file folders with a business card sticking out. I can only imagine how anxious someone must feel when important papers go missing, so I picked them up and kept them by the bench, hoping the rightful owner would recognize them and reclaim them.

outside the Allen County Courthouse, Lima 25 days ago

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Silver flute found near Market and Main in Lima

I found a silver wind instrument this afternoon around 3:15pm near the Market Street and Main Street intersection in downtown Lima, in the Lima/Findlay area. It looks like a student model, with a few light scratches on the lip plate and a small dent on the headjoint. The case is black with a blue lining and has a small sticker with the initials 'LM' on the exterior. There’s also a faded red thread tied around the case handle. I figured someone must be missing it and would love to help reunite it with its owner.

Lima / Findlay 3 months ago

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Small black Bluetooth speaker with red grille

I found a small black Bluetooth speaker this afternoon around 3:15 pm on the sidewalk behind the Findlay Village Mall, near the Regal Cinemas entrance off Tiffin Avenue. It's about the size of a soda can, with a red fabric grille and a slightly dented corner. The brand logo on the front looks like JBL, and there’s a tiny sticker on the bottom that reads 'LHX-7'. It seemed to power on when I pressed the button, so I didn’t move it far from where I found it. If someone recognizes these details, I’ll be glad to get it back to its owner.

Lima / Findlay 3 months ago

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Blue reflective dog collar with paw tag

Found a blue reflective dog collar this morning around 9am in the parking lot behind the Findlay Village Mall on Tiffin Ave. It’s a medium nylon collar with a bright white reflective stripe and a small green enamel paw-tag engraved with the initials LJ. The collar is a bit dusty from the lot but otherwise in good shape, no fraying. I figured someone might be missing their pup, so I’m hoping to reunite it with its owner. If this sounds like yours, tell me the initials on the tag or describe where your dog is usually walked, and we can set up a quick meet near the mall entrance or at the Findlay Public Library downtown.

Lima / Findlay 3 months ago