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

Helpful resources for Odessa / Midland

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Odessa / Midland

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Found: a stack of photographs

I was walking my dog along 8th Street in Odessa around 4:20 p.m. when a weathered stack of photographs caught my eye under a bench near the Ector County Courthouse. The faces look like a family album from years ago, with handwritten dates that are barely legible. I can tell someone cherished these; it hurts to think they were leaving a piece of their story behind. I tucked them away and hoped to reunite them with the owner soon. If these photos feel familiar, please reach out through the site so we can get them back to where they belong.

near the Ector County Courthouse on 8th Street, Odessa 7 days ago

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Found organizers near Memorial Park, Midland

Found these organizers this afternoon around 3:40 PM, tucked under a bench near the Memorial Park entrance in Midland, Texas. They are blue and gray fabric pouches meant for cables and small gear, with a few tags still attached. I checked around the path and nearby trash cans, but there was no one looking for them. They look like they belong to someone who travels light for work and likes to keep things tidy. If you are missing them, please check this post on the site and claim them through the proper channel.

Memorial Park entrance, Midland 25 days ago

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Found: two ID cards in navy lanyard

I found two ID cards this afternoon around 3:45pm in the Midland Park Mall parking lot, near the JCPenney entrance. They were tucked into a clear badge sleeve on a navy blue lanyard, a bit scuffed from the rain. One card looks like a City of Odessa employee badge with a photo of a woman named Maria Lopez; the other is a Midland College student ID with a small library access sticker on the back. There’s a tiny gold star sticker on the back of the badge sleeve that makes them stand out. They’re legible, and I’d like to help get them back to their owner if anyone recognizes them.

Odessa / Midland about 1 month ago

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Navy blue puffer jacket with orange interior

I found a navy blue puffer jacket with an orange interior this afternoon around 2:15 pm in the parking lot behind Midland Park Mall on Big Spring Street. It's a men's size L, The North Face, in solid condition with a couple of light scuffs on the sleeve. A small blue enamel pin in the shape of a wave is on the zipper and there's a faded "UTPB" label inside. If this sounds like yours, drop me a message here and we can arrange the return.

Odessa / Midland about 1 month ago

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Silver bracelet with turquoise bar found near Midland Mall

I found a silver bracelet with a small turquoise enamel bar and a tiny dove charm this afternoon around 3:15pm outside the Midland Park Mall entrance near the food court. It's a slim stainless-steel piece, about 7 inches long, with a brushed finish and a slightly scratched clasp. The turquoise bar catches the light in daytime, and the dove charm on the opposite side adds a bit of charm. The condition is pretty good overall, just a touch of wear from daily use. I know how much something like this can mean to someone, so I’m hoping to reunite it with its owner.

Odessa / Midland 3 months ago

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Blue North Face backpack with fox-logo keychain

I found a blue North Face backpack this afternoon around 3:15 pm in the parking lot behind the Starbucks on 4th Street in Odessa. It’s a medium-sized bag and in decent condition, a bit dusty from the lot but fully usable. Inside there’s a black spiral notebook and a small silicone keychain with a fox logo that sticks out in the main pocket. If this sounds like yours, drop me a note and we can meet near the same Starbucks to swap.

Odessa / Midland 4 months ago