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

Helpful resources for Stockton

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Stockton

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Penguin Classics blue edition found near Stockton Library

Found this afternoon around 2:15pm outside the Stockton Downtown Library on Center Street. It's a Penguin Classics edition, blue hardcover with a few scuffs along the spine. There's a coffee stain along the back edge and margins filled with tiny purple doodles; a pressed-flowers bookmark is tucked between pages 112 and 113. The book is in good condition overall, a bit worn at the corners. I figured someone might be missing it and I’d be happy to return it to its owner. If this sounds like yours, you can reply in the app to set up a safe handoff in Stockton.

Stockton about 1 month ago

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Bright red puffer coat with fox pin

I found a bright red puffer coat this afternoon around 3:15pm outside the Grand Stockton Hotel on Weber Ave near Main Street in Stockton. It's a women's size M, clean and warm-looking, with a faint coffee stain on the left sleeve and a blue enamel fox pin on the lapel. Inside pocket there's a handwritten tag that says 'K. Rivera.' The zipper works smoothly, and the pockets are empty. If this is yours, drop me a note with the name on the inner tag and a few details about the coat so I can verify. Happy to return it to its owner!

Stockton about 2 months ago

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Blue reflective dog collar with paw charm

I found this blue, reflective dog collar yesterday around 4:15pm on Hammer Lane, outside the Target in Stockton. It's a nylon collar, medium size, with a bright royal blue color and a reflective stripe plus a red plastic quick-release buckle. There’s a small bone-shaped tag hanging from the D-ring with a paw-print engraving that’s a bit worn. The collar shows a few scrapes from the street but otherwise is in good condition. I grabbed it and kept it safe by the entrance, hoping to help reunite a pup with their owner. If this belongs to you, email [email protected] to arrange pickup in Stockton.

Stockton 3 months ago

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Sunburst ukulele with strap found near Bob Hope Theatre

I found a sunburst soprano ukulele this afternoon around 3:15pm in front of the Bob Hope Theatre on Main Street, Stockton. It’s in decent shape, nylon strings feel a bit slack but playable, with a couple of light scratches along the back and a tiny chip near the edge of the sound hole. Inside the sound hole there’s a small blue sticker that reads 'Luna,' and the back of the headstock has a faded handwritten 'A. Rivera'—looks like someone’s initials. It seems like someone was just out practicing or busking nearby and left it behind by accident. If you’re the owner, I’d really like to get it back to you—tell me any other details about the instrument or the case and I’ll help reunite you.

Stockton 3 months ago

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Keys with red heart tag and blue key tag

I found a set of keys this morning around 9am in the parking lot behind the Stockton Arena on Weber Ave, near Center Street. There are five keys on a worn black keyring, plus a red enamel heart-shaped tag etched with the initials 'KP' and a small silver USB drive. The car key is a Honda remote and the blue plastic tag for a house key really stands out. They look in good condition overall, and I’m sure someone is missing them—they probably have sentimental value. If you recognize them, tell me where you last parked or describe the red tag and USB drive, and I’ll get them back to you.

Stockton 3 months ago

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Found yellow Labrador mix with blue collar near Victory Park

Found this dog this afternoon around 3:45pm wandering near Victory Park on Pacific Avenue in Stockton. He's a medium-sized yellow Labrador mix with a bright blue collar and a silver bone-shaped tag that reads 'Max' and has a phone number. He looks well cared for, a little muddy from the rain, with a white chest patch and a tiny scratch behind his left ear. I checked for a microchip at a local vet and couldn't scan here; the number on the tag didn't connect to anyone answering. If this is your dog, message me here or email me at [email protected] to meet near the park and reunite him with you.

Stockton 4 months ago