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

Helpful resources for Merced

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Merced

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Found teenage girl near Merced County Courthouse

I found a teenage girl around 3:15pm this afternoon behind the Merced County Courthouse on 14th Street. She's about 5'5", with light brown hair in a loose ponytail, wearing a red hoodie with a white logo, dark blue jeans, and white sneakers. She has a small compass tattoo on her left wrist and a blue backpack with a star patch. She looked shaken, kept asking for her mom, and wasn’t sure of her name. I stayed with her until I could confirm she was safe and checked for ID or a phone—no luck. If this sounds like your missing family member, send me a message here and we can verify details to get her home.

Merced about 1 month ago

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Found small blue fabric pouch with USB drive

I found a small blue fabric pouch this afternoon around 2:45pm behind the Merced Target on G Street. It's about the size of a deck of cards, with an orange zipper pull shaped like a fish and a faint 'Sunny Brand' logo on the front. Inside are a USB drive labeled 'Family Photos', a couple of coins, and a crumpled receipt. If this belongs to you, I’d like to get it back and can meet near the Target entrance or at the Merced Library steps. I’m hoping to reunite it with its owner, especially since the USB probably has irreplaceable memories.

Merced about 2 months ago

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Gold ring with emerald centerpiece

I found a gold ring this afternoon around 3:45pm outside the Starbucks on Main Street in Merced. It's a slim 14k gold band with a small bezel-set emerald about the size of a pea. The inside of the band is engraved with 'L+R' and a tiny heart, and there are a couple of fine scratches along the edge from wear. I picked it up near the bike racks by the entrance; it looked recently dropped and caught the sun, glinting in my pocket as I walked by. If this ring belongs to you, I’d love to help get it back to its owner.

Merced about 2 months ago

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Medical alert bracelet with blue heart charm

I found a medical alert bracelet this afternoon around 3:05pm outside the CVS on G Street, right by Merced River Park. It's a lightweight silver-tone bracelet with a blue enamel heart charm and a small clasp engraved with the initials 'JP'. The bracelet shows a bit of wear but the tag and engraving are still legible, so I think it's meant to be worn in case of emergency. I'm hoping to get it back to its owner who needs it; if this sounds like yours, tell me the initials on the clasp and roughly where you last wore it in Merced.

Merced about 2 months ago

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Cream guinea pig with blue ribbon found near Starbucks

I found a guinea pig this afternoon around 2:15 pm wandering near the Starbucks on Main Street, by the Merced Mall parking lot. It's a small, cream-colored guinea pig with a faint white blaze on its chest and a bright blue ribbon tied around its neck. It seems healthy, curious, and a little scared, with fluffy fur and tiny pink paws. I scooped it up to keep it safe and warm while I try to find its owner. If you recognize a pet matching this description, please contact me; I'd love to reunite them.

Merced 3 months ago

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Blue plush dragon toy found near Target on G Street

I found a blue plush dragon toy this afternoon around 3:15pm in the parking lot behind the Target on G Street in Merced. It’s about 12 inches tall, made of soft fleece, with a bright blue body, green belly, and rainbow wings, plus a red knit scarf. There’s a small white star patch on its left foot, and the squeaker still works when squeezed. It was tucked near the bike racks by the store entrance, a little dusty but otherwise in good shape. I know how much a toy can mean to a kid, so I’m hoping to help reunite it with its owner.

Merced 3 months ago