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

Helpful resources for Inland Empire

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Inland Empire

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FOUND postcards in Inland Empire, CA

Found this morning around 8:15 on the sidewalk outside Riverside's Mission Inn courtyard in the Inland Empire. A bundle of postcards, aged and worn, lay tucked under a bench. Some stamps date to the 1960s and 70s; others show familiar scenes of the area. The handwriting on the backs reads things like 'To Aunt Rosa' and 'From Grandpa'—they feel like a thread to someone's memories. I picked them up and kept them flat so they wouldn't get bent, hoping the rightful owner will see this and claim them.

Mission Inn courtyard, Riverside 2 days ago

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Found someone else’s devices in Inland Empire

I was heading back to my car in the Ontario Mills parking lot around 3:20 PM last Friday when a tote hidden behind a row of parked SUVs caught my eye. Inside were a black tablet, a silver laptop, and a tangle of chargers. A travel mug and a pair of earbuds sat on top, like someone had just stepped away in a hurry. It felt oddly important to keep these safe, because devices can mean work, schedules, and photos that matter to someone. I kept them secure and handed the whole lot to mall security with a quick note so the owner can be reunited through the site.

Ontario Mills mall, near the food court 7 days ago

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I found power tools in Inland Empire

I found these power tools in Inland Empire, California, yesterday around 4:15 PM near the Mission Inn in downtown Riverside. The set includes a drill, a circular saw, and a sturdy toolbox with a label scratched by hand. I kept them secure at the Mission Inn security desk to make sure they didn’t get lost again. I’m hoping the rightful owner sees this and recognizes the tools by their brands and the handwriting on the label.

by the Mission Inn, downtown Riverside 26 days ago

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Found scarves in Inland Empire, California

Sunday around 3:20 p.m., I found two scarves lying by the main entrance of Ontario Mills, tucked beneath a planter near the bus stop. One is a navy rib-knit and the other a soft gray with a loose fringe, both still clean and obviously cared for. It struck me how a chilly day can leave someone else shivering, so I brought them to the security desk and left a note in case the owner returns. They look like they came from a quick, hopeful shopping trip and probably belong to someone who could use them soon.

Ontario Mills mall, main entrance, near the bus stop 3 months ago

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Found: equipment for various sports in Riverside park.

This morning at about 8:45 a.m., while walking my dog in Inland Empire, I spotted a backpack with sports gear near the tennis courts at Fairmount Park in Riverside. Inside there were several balls, a rack, and a few pads—clear sign it's the Equipment for Various Sports. It felt like a small miracle to find it sitting there, and I wanted to post this in case the owner is looking for it as well. I’ve kept it secure for now and hope the rightful owner sees this soon.

near the tennis courts at Fairmount Park, Riverside 3 months ago

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Navy blue North Face parka found at Victoria Gardens

I found a navy blue North Face parka this afternoon around 4:15pm outside the Barnes & Noble at Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga. It's a men's size XL puffer jacket with a removable faux-fur hood and a small red enamel pin shaped like a mountain on the zipper pull. The outer fabric shows a bit of wear on the cuffs, but the insulation is still fluffy and warm. Inside, the lining has a subtle map print, a nice personal touch. If this belongs to you, I'm glad to help you get it back—meet me by the Barnes & Noble entrance whenever it's convenient.

Inland Empire 4 months ago