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

Helpful resources for New River Valley

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in New River Valley

found P

Bright green dog harness with reflective stripe

I found a bright neon-green dog harness with a reflective stripe this afternoon around 4:15 pm in the parking lot behind the CVS on Roanoke Street in Blacksburg, New River Valley. It's a medium-size nylon harness with a black quick-release buckle and a small tag that says 'MILO' along with a phone number etched in marker on the inner sleeve. The fabric is a bit dirty from the rain but still in decent shape, no rips. It looks like it belongs to a friendly pup, and that name tag might help track the owner. If you recognize it, tell me the dog's name and the number on the tag to verify ownership.

New River Valley about 2 months ago

found A

Black leather briefcase found near NRV Mall

I found a black leather briefcase this afternoon around 2:45pm behind the NRV Mall entrance near the food court on Roanoke Street in Christiansburg. It's a medium-sized briefcase, about 15 inches wide, with brass zippers and a small scuff on the corner. Inside, there's a blue padded laptop sleeve and a yellow sticky note with 'Priya Patel' written on it, plus a Patel & Co business card. The exterior has a faint red coffee spill near the bottom edge. If this is yours, please get in touch—I’d really like to see it back with you.

New River Valley 3 months ago

found N

Silver bracelet with ruby heart charm

I found a silver bracelet yesterday around 3:45 pm in the parking lot behind the New River Valley Mall in Christiansburg. It’s a slender 7-inch sterling silver bracelet with a tiny ruby heart charm that catches the sun. The clasp has a delicate engraving 'A.R.' on it, which should help the owner identify it. There are a few light scratches along the edge from wear, but otherwise it’s in good shape. It looks like it could mean a lot to someone, and I’d love to get it back to its owner. If this sounds like yours, we can meet at the mall info desk or somewhere near the food court to hand it off safely.

New River Valley 3 months ago

found P

Gold-tone bracelet with turquoise heart charm

I found a delicate gold-tone bracelet this afternoon around 2:40pm in the Market Square area on Main Street in Blacksburg. It’s about 7.5 inches long with a small turquoise heart charm and a tiny tag engraved with the initial 'A' on the clasp. It’s in good condition with just a little tarnish on the back from wear. I get that jewelry can be sentimental, so I’d really like to help reunite it with its owner. If this sounds like yours, share the initial on the clasp and a detail only you would know, and we can arrange a pickup near Market Square in the New River Valley.

New River Valley 3 months ago

found P

Silver MacBook Air in black sleeve found near mall

I found a silver Apple MacBook Air (13-inch) this afternoon around 2:15pm in the parking lot behind the New River Valley Mall on Roanoke Street in Christiansburg. It’s in a black neoprene sleeve with a bright blue zipper. The lid has a small dent on the bottom-right corner and a round green pine-tree sticker near the corner. When I opened it, it booted to the login screen with a mountain wallpaper, so it seems to be in decent shape overall. The battery held a charge for a bit after I turned it on. If this is yours, email me at [email protected] with the sticker on the sleeve to confirm.

New River Valley 4 months ago

found P

Calico cat with blue collar found near NRV Mall

I found a cat this afternoon around 3:15pm behind the NRV Mall parking lot off US-460 in Christiansburg. It’s a friendly calico with white paws and a blue collar that has a small bell. It has a tiny notch in its left ear and a faint limp in the right hind leg. It seemed nervous at first but warmed up after I offered food and let it sniff my hand. I’m hoping to help this sweet girl get back to her owner.

New River Valley 4 months ago