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

Helpful resources for Southwest TX

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Southwest TX

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Found suits near Plaza Theatre, El Paso

This morning I found a suit set in Southwest Texas. I was walking near the Plaza Theatre on Mesa Street in downtown El Paso around 9:30 a.m. when I spotted a garment bag with a navy pinstripe suit and two matching trousers sitting on a bench by a cafe. It looked like someone might be in a rush for an interview, so I picked it up and brought it to the Lost and Found. The jacket and pants are clean, just a bit wrinkled, and there aren’t any obvious labels inside. I hope the owner sees this and can reclaim them soon.

Near Plaza Theatre, El Paso 26 minutes ago

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Found shopping bags near Mall del Norte, Laredo

Today at about 4:20 p.m., I found a bundle of shopping bags on the sidewalk outside Mall del Norte in Laredo, Texas. It looked like someone had walked away in a hurry after unloading groceries, leaving bags scattered by the curb. The bags include several brand-name totes and a receipt crumpled at the bottom. I picked them up to keep them from blowing away and held onto them until this post. I hope the owner sees this and claims their things soon.

near Mall del Norte, Laredo 23 days ago

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Found hoops near courthouse square, SW Texas

I found a pair of silver hoop earrings on the sidewalk near the courthouse square in a Southwest Texas town around 3:15 pm on Tuesday. They’re simple hoops with a slight patina from wear, about an inch in diameter, and they carry a quiet energy of someone who likes to dress up a little for everyday moments. I tucked them into my pocket and kept them safe, hoping the owner will see this post and claim them soon. It’s a small thing, but I know how important it is to feel heard and to get a favorite piece back.

near the courthouse square, Southwest TX about 1 month ago

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Found sports equipment near the Southwest Texas gym

Today at 6:40 a.m., I was out walking near Riverside Park in Southwest Texas when I spotted a weathered gym bag tucked under the bleachers by the outdoor courts. Inside were gear for multiple sports: a well-worn soccer ball, a cracked tennis racket in a faded cover, two baseball gloves, a whistle with a frayed lanyard, and a water bottle rattling inside. There’s a Texas flag patch sewn onto the corner; no owner’s name is visible. It looked like someone had hurried away during early practice and left everything behind. I picked it up and hoped the owner would see this and claim it soon.

Riverside Park athletic complex, Southwest Texas about 1 month ago

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Found travel adapters near Fort Stockton rest area.

I was fueling up at the Fort Stockton rest area off I-10 in Southwest Texas around 6:15 p.m. last Friday when a small black pouch with USB-C and micro-USB adapters spilled from my backpack. The set includes a universal travel adapter and a few plug adapters; they were tucked inside a worn black case with a silver zipper. It looked like someone might be on a cross-Texas trip, so I held onto them and posted here. If these belong to you, please reach out through the site so we can arrange a safe pickup.

Fort Stockton rest area off I-10 2 months ago

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Found sheet music in southwest Texas.

On Tuesday at 6:15 PM, I found a folder of sheet music wedged beneath a park bench along Alpine's town square, just outside the old courthouse. The pages are yellowed and creased, with a few notes smudged from years of practice. It looks like someone had been preparing for a small-town recital, the pieces clearly cherished. I felt a mix of curiosity and responsibility, thinking of someone who spent evenings with these sheets. I’m posting them here hoping the owner recognizes them.

Sentimental

Near the courthouse, Alpine, TX 3 months ago