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

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Found Trading Cards near Vigo County Library, Terre Haute

This morning at 9:10 a.m., I found a bundle of trading cards on the sidewalk near the Vigo County Public Library in Terre Haute. I picked them up and they look like a collection that belongs to someone who loves this hobby. I’m leaving them here for now, hoping to reunite them with their owner through the site.

outside Vigo County Public Library, near 7th Street 2 days ago

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FOUND: litter of puppies wandering Terre Haute

This morning around 7:15, I found four puppies wandering near the Vigo County Courthouse Square in Terre Haute. They were small and shivering, with tan, black, and white coats, noses wiggling at every passerby. I coaxed them into my car and kept them safe while I checked for microchips and asked at a nearby coffee stand if anyone was missing a litter. My heart aches thinking of someone out there missing them, and I hope the owner sees this soon.

Near the Vigo County Courthouse Square 11 days ago

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FOUND: Flutes near ISU campus, Terre Haute

I was leaving a campus rehearsal at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana around 2:15 PM on Thursday when I spotted a black flute case half-buried behind a bench near the ISU library plaza. Inside were three silver flutes, a dented lip plate, and a worn tuner clipped to the zipper. It looked like someone had rushed between classes and forgot them in the rush. If these belong to you, they’re likely waiting near the library steps by the main quad.

outside ISU Library, near the main steps 24 days ago

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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 3 months ago

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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 5 months ago

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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 6 months ago