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 West Virginia (old)? 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 West Virginia (old); 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 West Virginia (old) with enough detail for the real owner to identify it — while holding back one verifying detail.

Helpful resources for West Virginia (old)

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in West Virginia (old)

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FOUND train near Charleston Amtrak Station, West Virginia (old)

I found a small toy train tucked under a bench outside the Charleston Amtrak Station around 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday, May 4, while I was waiting for a friend. It’s a bright red locomotive with black wheels and a stubborn sticker on the tender. No one claimed it, so I left it with the information desk and told staff to keep an eye out. The moment felt like a tiny mystery in a busy corridor, and I’m hoping the owner stumbles upon this post soon so they know their little locomotive didn’t disappear into the crowd.

near the Charleston Amtrak Station, West Side 8 days ago

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Found suits near Capitol Market, Charleston WV

While walking past Capitol Market in Charleston around 3:40 p.m. on Tuesday I spotted a black garment bag containing two men's suits and a blazer near a bench by the entrance. A name tag was attached but I cannot determine the owner from it, so I brought the bag inside for safekeeping. These outfits appear important for a job interview or a formal event, and I want them to find their person. This could be someone who needs to look sharp for an important moment and I hope it helps.

Sentimental

Outside Capitol Market Charleston WV about 1 month ago

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Brass pocket compass on leather cord found downtown Charleston

I found a brass pocket compass with a worn brown leather cord and a tiny brass elephant charm attached. It's about the size of a matchbox, with a subtle map design on the back and a slightly tarnished patina. I found it this morning around 10:15am in the parking lot behind the Catamount Diner on Capitol Street in Charleston, WV. The back is engraved with the initials 'N.O.' and the elephant charm is a nice, easy identifying feature—please get in touch if this is yours so we can safely reunite it.

West Virginia (old) 2 months ago

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Silver hoop earrings with crescent moon charm

Found a pair of earrings this afternoon around 2:15pm near the steps of the old State Capitol building on Main Street in West Virginia (Old). They’re small silver-tone hoops, about 1 inch in diameter, with a delicate crescent moon charm dangling from one hoop. The backs are standard butterfly clasps, and one earring has a tiny engraving inside the crescent that looks like the letter 'M'. They’re a little dusty from the sidewalk but otherwise in good condition. I’d love to get them back to their owner—they might be sentimental or valuable to you.

West Virginia (old) 2 months ago

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Silver pocket watch found in West Virginia (old)

Found a silver pocket watch this afternoon around 2:45pm in West Virginia (old), Charleston, near the old state Capitol building on Capitol Street, in the little pedestrian plaza by the fountain. It's about 1.75 inches across, silver-tone with a slightly tarnished finish, and the face uses roman numerals with no brand visible. The back is engraved with the initials 'J.S.' and the chain is still attached but a bit tangled; the crystal has a small crack and the case has a tiny dent. It seems to tick when moved, but I can't tell how accurate it is. I’d really like to get it back to its owner or someone who recognizes it—the story behind it probably matters to someone.

West Virginia (old) 3 months ago

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Blue knit scarf with snowflake pin

Found a blue knit scarf this afternoon around 2:45pm in the parking lot behind the Charleston Town Center mall on Capitol Street, Charleston, West Virginia. It's about 58 inches long, a bright royal blue, with a chunky knit and a small silver snowflake pin attached near one end. The fringe is a little frayed, but the scarf is in decent shape overall. It feels like someone’s favorite or maybe a gift, and I know it could mean a lot to the owner to get it back as the weather’s turning chilly. If this is yours, share a detail about the pin or how you last wore it to help confirm ownership, and we can figure out a safe meet-up near Capitol Street to return it.

West Virginia (old) 4 months ago