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

Helpful resources for Western Maryland

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Western Maryland

found P

Calico cat with white bib found near Walmart, Hagerstown

I found a small calico cat this afternoon around 3:20pm behind the Walmart on Dual Highway in Hagerstown. She has a white bib, orange patches, and a fluffy tail, about the size of a medium cat. There’s a tiny notch in her left ear and a faint orange stripe along her tail that makes her easy to pick out. She hung around the parking lot by the garden center, a bit wary of cars but pretty friendly once I called to her. If this is your cat, I’d love to help get her back home.

Western Maryland 20 days ago

found L

Navy blue hoodie found near Frederick Public Library

I found a navy blue North Face hoodie, size M, in the parking lot behind the Frederick Public Library on Market Street yesterday around 4pm. It's a full-zip hoodie with a bright orange zipper pull and white drawstrings. There's a small coffee stain on the inner pocket and a wear spot on the cuff, but overall it's in good condition. If this is yours, email me at [email protected] so we can arrange a meetup somewhere in downtown Frederick, Western Maryland.

Western Maryland about 1 month ago

found A

Silver teardrop earrings with turquoise stones

I found a pair of silver teardrop earrings with turquoise stones this afternoon around 3:15 pm on the sidewalk by the intersection of Prospect Street and Washington Street in downtown Hagerstown, Western Maryland. They're about an inch long, with a simple, delicate shape. One earring has a tiny engraving on the back that looks like the letter 'A,' and the other shows a small dent along the rim where the metal is a bit worn. The turquoise stones catch the light nicely and add a pop of color to an otherwise plain piece. If someone recognizes them, please reach out so I can help reunite them with their owner.

Western Maryland 3 months ago

found P

Red sunburst Ludwig snare drum

I found a red Ludwig snare drum this afternoon around 3:15pm behind the Maryland Theatre on West Washington Street in downtown Hagerstown, Western Maryland. It’s a 14x5.5 inch snare with a red sunburst finish and chrome hardware; there are a few light scratches along the shell and a tiny dent on the rim near the 7 o’clock position. A blue painter’s tape with the initials AJ is stuck to the bottom hoop, plus a small star sticker on the shell—easy to spot if you know it’s yours. If you recognize it, drop me a message here and we can arrange a pickup nearby.

Western Maryland 6 months ago

found E

Found black leather wallet with embossed design near the Trailhead in Western Maryland containing cards and cash.

I found a black leather wallet while hiking on the trail near the Trailhead in Western Maryland. It has an intricate embossed design on the outside and is quite compact. Inside, it has several cards and a little cash. There was no identification, but there is a receipt from a local café. I'd really like to return it to its owner, so please reach out if this sounds familiar!

Trailhead, Western Maryland, MD, USA 10 months ago

found E

Found a small green tree frog near a pond while hiking in Western Maryland.

I found a small green tree frog hopping around near a pond while hiking in Western Maryland. It seemed a bit disoriented and I couldn't find any other frogs nearby. I'm worried it may have been separated from its habitat. If anyone is missing a pet frog, please reach out!

Pond area, Western Maryland, Maryland, United States 10 months ago