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

Helpful resources for Southern Illinois

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Southern Illinois

found R

Found tank accessories near SIU campus

I found a bag of tank accessories this morning outside the SIU Carbondale campus, near the Student Center, around 7:15 AM in Southern Illinois. It included a heater, a sponge filter, and extra tubing stuffed into a black tote, all kicked together as if someone dropped them in a hurry. I picked them up and turned them in to the campus lost-and-found, hoping the owner would see this post and reclaim them soon. If these are yours, they’re safe and waiting to be claimed through the site.

near the SIU Carbondale Student Center 5 days ago

found J

FOUND: Microwaves found in Southern Illinois, IL

While cleaning up behind a small grocery on East Main Street in Carbondale around 3:40 p.m. last Saturday, I found two microwaves tucked under a loading dock. One is white with a dent in the corner; the other is stainless with a few scratches. They were dusty from days of rain but otherwise solid, like they’d sat through a routine apartment building run. I can tell they belong to someone who relies on quick meals after long days of classes or work. Hoping to help reunite them with their owner.

Behind the East Main Street grocery, Carbondale, IL 22 days ago

found M

Sheets found near SIU Arena, Carbondale

I found these sheets lying on a bench outside the SIU Arena at 7:15 PM on Tuesday after a late basketball practice. The fabric peeked from a light tote, and I could tell someone would be upset if they couldn't recover them. They’re a plain white sheet set with a pale blue hem, a little wrinkled but clean. I turned them into the campus lost-and-found, hoping the owner sees this quickly. It always feels good to reunite someone with home comforts after a long day.

near the SIU Arena, Carbondale about 2 months ago

found A

FOUND: Equipment for Various Sports near Garden of the Gods

I found these around 3:20 p.m. Sunday near the Garden of the Gods parking area in Southern Illinois. The pile looked like a mixed bag of sports gear—several balls, a couple of pads, and a hoodie peeking out. It felt right to pick them up and keep them handy in case the owner sees this listing. Hopefully the owner recognizes their stuff and claims it through the site.

Garden of the Gods parking lot 3 months ago

found P

Black leather briefcase with red interior

I found a black leather briefcase this afternoon around 3pm in the parking lot behind the Varsity Center on Main Street in Carbondale, Southern Illinois. It’s a sturdy, satchel-style case about 16 inches wide with brass zippers and a small scuff on the lower corner. The inside lining is bright red, and there’s a laminated ID pocket with the initials 'A.S.' on a gold tag. I also spotted a USB drive and a handwritten note about upcoming deadlines tucked in the main compartment. I’d love to return it to its owner—hope it finds its way home soon.

Southern Illinois 4 months ago

found D

GoPro HERO9 Black with suction mount

I found a GoPro HERO9 Black this afternoon around 1:45pm in the parking lot behind the Main Street Coffee Co. on Main Street in Carbondale, IL. It’s in a black protective case with a blue silicone sleeve, and there’s a small orange wrist strap attached to the mount. The camera has a few light scratches on the corner but powers up and shows a clean display. It came with a 64GB microSD card already inserted and a suction-cup mount. On the back of the case there’s a blue sticker with the initials AJ, which might help the owner recognize it. If it’s yours, please reach out and describe the sticker and the microSD card.

Southern Illinois 4 months ago