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

Helpful resources for Terre Haute

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Terre Haute

found E

Found: Brooches in Terre Haute

On Saturday around 3:15 p.m., I found a small velvet pouch containing several brooches beneath a bench outside the Indiana Theatre in Terre Haute. The pieces are gold-tone with blue stones, some with tiny pearls, and they’re a little worn from years of wear but clearly treasured. I tucked the pouch into my tote and posted here, hoping the owner would recognize them. If these belong to you, I’ll keep them safe until they’re claimed.

Reward

near the Vigo County Courthouse 6 days ago

found P

Plush dinosaur toy with blue scarf

I found a small plush dinosaur near the Terre Haute Children's Museum on 7th Street yesterday around 3:20pm. It's about 8 inches tall, bright lime green with a blue knitted scarf and an orange stitched smile. There’s a tiny tear on the left leg and a little yellow star patch on its belly—easy to spot as a unique detail. It looks well-loved but clean, clearly a favorite toy. If this belongs to a kid in Terre Haute, I’d love to reunite it with its owner; drop a message here and we can arrange a quick pickup nearby.

Terre Haute 2 months ago

found P

Blue Nike running shorts with lime trim

I found a pair of blue Nike running shorts with lime-green trim, men's size M, in pretty good shape this afternoon around 2:45pm. I spotted them behind the Hulman Center near the ISU Rec Center on 7th Street here in Terre Haute. There's a white Nike swoosh on the left leg and a bright lime pocket zipper, plus a small pull on the hem from a light snag—overall they're clean and seem recently worn. If these belong to you, describe the size, any distinguishing marks, and I’ll gladly reunite you with them.

Terre Haute 4 months ago

found A

DeWalt 20V cordless drill in yellow case found

I found a DeWalt 20V cordless drill in a yellow hard case this afternoon around 3:15pm near the Vigo County Public Library on Wabash Ave in Terre Haute. The drill is in good shape, with a black rubber grip and a few scuffs on the yellow shell, and it comes with a small set of drill bits. There's a blue Sharpie mark on the bottom edge that reads 'AJ' and a date, which should help identify the owner. The battery seems to hold a charge, and the case has a small dent on the corner. If this is yours, message me and we can arrange a pickup near the library.

Terre Haute 4 months ago

found M

Red plaid scarf with snowflake pin

Found a red plaid winter scarf this afternoon around 3:10 pm on the sidewalk outside the CVS on Wabash Ave in Terre Haute. The scarf is a soft acrylic, about 72 inches long, with fringed ends and a tiny snag along one edge. There's a small silver snowflake pin stitched near the corner and an inside label with a handwritten 'M' motif that makes it stand out. It's in decent shape, just a bit dusty from the street. If someone lost this, I'd really like to get it back—it's probably sentimental or a favorite cold-weather comfort item.

Terre Haute 4 months ago

found P

Three-piece stainless steel bowls with blue lids

I found a three-piece stainless steel mixing bowl set with blue silicone lids this afternoon around 2:15pm behind the Starbucks on Wabash Ave, near the Terre Haute Commons. The bowls are 6, 8, and 10 inches, and they show honest kitchen wear—some scratches and a tiny dent on the rim of the largest bowl. The interior has a faint coffee stain from recent use, and the blue lids fit snugly and are a bit sun-faded. There’s no obvious branding on the outside, which makes them feel practical and a little sentimental—like they might belong to someone who cooks a lot. If this is yours, I hope this helps get them back home.

Terre Haute 5 months ago