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

Helpful resources for Minneapolis / St Paul

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Minneapolis / St Paul

found G

Found gym clothes near downtown Minneapolis

While grabbing coffee near Nicollet Mall around 8:45 a.m. on Saturday, I found a bundle of gym clothes left beside a bike rack outside the downtown YMCA on 9th Street in Minneapolis. The clothes were neatly folded in a gym bag, with sneakers tucked underneath and a water bottle still half full. I didn’t see anyone nearby, but the bag looked recently abandoned, so I brought it to the building's lobby and waited a moment, hoping the owner would notice it soon. It felt good to do the right thing, especially since I’ve lost gear before and know how stressful it is.

outside the downtown YMCA on 9th Street, Minneapolis 3 days ago

found G

Found handheld console near Stone Arch Bridge

I found someone else's handheld console on a windy Saturday evening near the Stone Arch Bridge in downtown Minneapolis around 7:20 p.m. I was walking along the riverfront when I spotted the black device resting on a bench, its screen split with a small crack and a blue sticker peeling from the corner. The charger was tucked loosely in a pocket, and there was a faint smell of metal rain. It looked recent, used enough to show fingerprints and smudges from the river breeze. I picked it up and kept it safe, hoping the rightful owner would recognize it when they see this post. It must belong to someone who was enjoying an evening by the river; I'd love to help reunite them with it.

near Stone Arch Bridge about 1 month ago

found L

Found synthesizers near the Stone Arch Bridge, Minneapolis.

While heading home from a late jam session along the Mississippi Riverfront, I found a set of synthesizers tucked behind a park bench near the Stone Arch Bridge around 3:45 p.m. today. The gear looked used but in good shape, with a blue padded bag and several cables spilling out. I know how much music gear can mean to someone who’s chasing new sounds, so I kept everything together and carried it to a shady spot by the riverwalk. I’m hoping this helps the rightful owner find their stuff through this site.

near Guthrie Theater, along the Stone Arch Bridge path, Minneapolis about 1 month ago

found N

Found drones near Stone Arch Bridge

I found two small drones in a black carry case resting on the grass by the path. I was biking along the Mississippi River Trail by the Stone Arch Bridge around 7:10 PM last Friday when I spotted them. They looked recently used, with a red sticker on one and a couple of light scratches on the frames. It hit me how easy it is to misplace gear during a night shoot, and I felt a mix of excitement and responsibility at the chance of reuniting them with their owner.

near the Stone Arch Bridge, West River Parkway about 2 months ago

found A

Found paintings near Stone Arch Bridge

Last night, around 8:15 PM, I found two paintings leaning against a bench near the Stone Arch Bridge along the Mississippi in downtown Minneapolis. The frames are a bit worn, with one canvas showing a snowy river and the other a busy city street under gray clouds. I tucked them into my tote and brought them to a nearby cafe, hoping to keep them safe until the owner noticed this listing. There was no note or name tag, just the quiet feeling that someone had lost something meaningful on a chilly walk along the water. If these belong to you, I hope this helps bring them back home.

near Mill City Museum, along the riverfront 2 months ago

found P

Navy wool coat with belt found near Mill City Museum

Found a navy 3/4-length wool coat yesterday around 3pm near the Mill City Museum entrance on 2nd Street SE in Minneapolis. It's a J.Crew wool coat, size Medium, in good condition aside from a small coffee stain on the inner pocket. The coat has a brown leather belt and a distinctive gold anchor lapel pin that I spotted when I picked it up. The lining is a bright red, which makes it easy to spot. If this sounds like yours, message me with the pin details and where you last wore it.

Minneapolis / St Paul 3 months ago