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

Helpful resources for Mankato

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Mankato

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Found: Chargers near Sibley Park, Mankato

I FOUND a neat pile of chargers after I wrapped up chores and sat near a bench by Sibley Park in Mankato last Tuesday around 6:15 p.m. The cords were tangled with a gray backpack strap and a blue USB-C brick poking out. I checked for a name tag, but there wasn’t one. I left them on the bench and posted here, hoping the owner can recognize them and come claim them through the site. It’s a small moment of relief to help someone reconnect with their everyday gear.

near Sibley Park, Mankato 12 days ago

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FOUND: Sheet Music near Center Street, Riverfront Park

I found a stack of sheet music under a bench on Center Street by Riverfront Park this morning around 9:15 a.m. The papers are well‑loved—sticky notes in pencil marks, cramped tempo numbers, and a page torn at the edge. There are pieces for piano, some for guitar, and a coffee‑stained receipt tucked between the pages. The folder is worn, a bit damp from last night’s drizzle, the cover showing the name 'L. Chen' in faded ink. It felt personal, like someone was between practice sessions and a recital. I left them on the bench where I found them, hoping the owner or a kind passerby would recognize the music and claim them soon.

Center Street bench near Riverfront Park 28 days ago

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Blue reflective dog collar found

Found this blue reflective dog collar this afternoon around 2:45pm in the parking lot behind Target on Madison Ave in Mankato. It's a medium nylon collar, vivid royal blue with a white reflective stripe and a small brass ID tag stamped 'Roxy'. There’s a faint chew mark on the strap and the buckle shows minor scratches, but it’s otherwise in good condition. The tag has a phone number that’s partly worn off. If this belongs to your dog, I’d really like to get it back to you; we can meet near Riverfront Park or at the Target lot.

Mankato about 1 month ago

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Teak coffee table with brass knob

I found a teak coffee table this afternoon around 3:15 pm, sitting on the sidewalk outside the Hy-Vee on Madison Ave near Nicollet Plaza. It's about 42 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 17 inches tall, with a warm honey finish and slightly curved edges. There’s a small drawer with a brass knob on one end and a faint coffee-ring stain in the middle top. A couple of tiny nicks on the corner are the only wear I notice. If this is yours, describe the drawer knob and the coffee ring, and we can arrange pickup near the MSU campus.

Mankato about 1 month ago

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Black Nike Air Max sneakers with neon green laces

I found a pair of black Nike Air Max sneakers this afternoon around 2:15pm near the Lincoln Park entrance off Front Street in Mankato. They're a size 9, in good shape with a small scuff on the toe of the left shoe and a coffee stain near the heel. The neon green laces really pop against the black, and there's a white Nike swoosh on each side. I left them by the park's info kiosk in case the owner passes by, hoping they get back to whoever lost them.

Mankato about 2 months ago

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Navy North Face parka with faux fur hood

I found this navy blue North Face parka this afternoon around 3:15 pm outside the Minnesota State University, Mankato Student Union along the Riverfront walkway. It's a size L, with a plush faux fur hood and an orange inner lining that peeks out when the zipper is opened. There's a bright red carabiner clipped to the zipper pull, a small but unique detail. The jacket is in good condition aside from minor wear on the cuffs. If the owner sees this, I really want to help get it back to you—please reach out.

Mankato about 2 months ago