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

Helpful resources for Roanoke

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Roanoke

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Found gray tabby with blue collar

I found a medium-sized gray tabby this morning around 9:15am near the Grandin Theatre on Grandin Road in Roanoke. It has white paws and chest, a slightly crooked tail, and a tiny white scar on its left ear. It’s wearing a bright blue nylon collar with a small silver bell and a white enamel tag that reads 'MILO.' I kept it safe for a bit and gave it some water; the cat seemed friendly and purrs when I pet it. If this is your cat, or you know who it belongs to, email me with details about Milo so we can reunite them.

Roanoke about 1 month ago

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Blue Akai MPK Mini 25-key MIDI controller

I found a blue Akai MPK Mini 25-key MIDI controller this afternoon around 3:15pm behind Center in the Square, near the Market Street entrance in Roanoke. It's a compact, black-and-blue USB keyboard with white keys and a few scuffs along the edge. There's an orange sticker on the back with the initials 'A.J.' and a short USB cable still attached. The unit looks well used but functional, with no missing keys. If this belongs to you, I’m happy to hold onto it here in Roanoke until you claim it.

Roanoke about 2 months ago

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Framed floral watercolor with gold frame

Found this framed watercolor this morning around 7:15am outside the Roanoke City Market Building on Market Street. It shows a bright spring bouquet in a white ceramic vase against a pale blue background. The piece is about 11x14 inches, in a gold filigree frame with a small crack along the bottom edge of the glass, and the back is taped shut. There's a signature in the lower-right corner that reads 'M. Rivera.' If this sounds like yours, I can hand it over to you at the Market Street entrance.

Roanoke about 2 months ago

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Matte black Giro cycling helmet with red accents

I found a matte black Giro cycling helmet with a bold red stripe on the front this afternoon near the Roanoke River Greenway behind the Elmwood Park trailhead. It's a medium size and looks lightly used, with a few scuff marks on the shell and a small sticker inside that reads 'RTP-27'. I picked it up after seeing it sitting on the grass by the bike path around 4:15 pm today. I know how important a good helmet is for safety, and it would be great to get it back to its owner. If this belongs to you, shoot me a message to set up a quick meetup near Market Street and the Roanoke City Market Building.

Roanoke 3 months ago

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Found iPad Pro 11-inch in green folio case

I found an iPad Pro 11-inch (Space Gray) this morning around 9:15am in the parking lot behind the Roanoke Public Library on Jefferson Street. It's in a green folio case with a white floral pattern, and the screen still shows the Home screen with a few personal photos visible. The back has a small dent on the corner, and there’s a sticker that says 'Sophie' on the case. I grabbed it figuring someone must be looking for it, and I’d love to get it back to its owner. If this sounds like yours, please reach out so we can arrange a safe handoff.

Roanoke 3 months ago

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Found medical alert bracelet near Roanoke North Medical Center

I found a medical alert bracelet this afternoon around 2:45pm outside the Roanoke North Medical Center entrance on Jefferson Street. It’s a silver-toned bracelet with a small red enamel heart charm that catches the light. The clasp has a tiny engraving 'AL' and there’s a little medical tag tucked under the strap with handwritten initials. I slipped it into the security desk at the entrance, hoping to help the owner get it back soon. If this belongs to you, please reply with the engraving details or tell me the date you last wore it, and I’ll arrange a pickup or drop-off at a convenient location.

Roanoke 3 months ago