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

Helpful resources for San Marcos

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in San Marcos

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Found studs near TX State University, San Marcos

I found a small cluster of gold studs on the sidewalk near the Five Mile Cafe along the San Marcos River behind the Texas State University campus around 12:15 p.m. on Saturday. They looked like they belonged to someone and must have slipped from a jacket pocket. I picked them up and dropped them off at the campus lost-and-found near Bobcat Stadium. It felt good to help someone out today, and I hope the owner finds them quickly.

Near Bobcat Stadium, Aquarena Springs Dr 1 day ago

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Found: small blue train near the San Marcos River

I was walking back from the San Marcos Public Library around 4:15 p.m. today and spotted a small blue toy train tucked behind a bench near the river overlook by Courthouse Square. The paint is chipped, and the little conductor figurine sits in the cab, looking hopeful. I checked the surrounding area for a note or owner, but nothing turned up. It clearly belonged to a child who used to carry it on sunny afternoons, and I can imagine the moment a kid runs to claim it. I’m hoping to reunite this toy with its rightful owner soon.

Courthouse Square, by the San Marcos River 3 days ago

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Found pins near The Square, San Marcos

I found a small pile of enamel pins on the sidewalk outside the San Marcos Farmers Market on The Square around 2:15 PM today. The pins include a bright blue lightning bolt, a Texas flag, and a tiny cactus pin, all still attached to a frayed pin-back. It looked like they spilled from someone’s jacket pocket during a quick stroll between shops. I’m posting this because it felt right to try to reunite them with their owner as soon as possible.

outside The Square, near the Farmers Market on Guadalupe St 4 days ago

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Found wall art near Courthouse Square

I found it leaning against a planter outside Courthouse Square on East Hopkins Street at 3:15 pm on Saturday. It’s a canvas wall art showing a desert sunset, bold oranges fading into purple, in a slim black frame—clearly someone’s favorite. I looked around, then tucked it onto a bench and hoped the owner would recognize it. It feels strange to hold onto someone else’s piece of home, but I knew it belonged here, hoping the rightful owner sees this listing and knows it’s safe.

Near Courthouse Square on East Hopkins St 21 days ago

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Found sports equipment near Rio Vista Park, San Marcos

While strolling along the San Marcos River by Rio Vista Park around 4:15 PM on Saturday, I spotted a blue duffel resting near a bench. I opened it and found gear for various sports: a tennis racket, a baseball glove, and several balls tucked in a mesh bag. It looked like someone was getting ready for a weekend out at the park, and I could tell it meant a lot to them. I kept the items together and posted this listing so the rightful owner can claim them through the site.

near Rio Vista Park playground about 2 months ago

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Nintendo Switch OLED with neon Joy-Cons and case

I found a Nintendo Switch OLED this morning around 9:15am outside the H-E-B on Wonder World Drive in San Marcos. It's in a black protective shell with neon red and blue Joy-Cons, plus a gray carrying case that has a Mario sticker on the front. The screen looks clean with just a tiny scratch along the top edge, and the left Joy-Con has a small scuff near the shoulder button. I also found a blue USB-C charging cable tucked inside the case. If this belongs to someone, send me a message here and we can arrange pickup near the entrance by the bike racks.

San Marcos 4 months ago