I-Team: Lost and found at Bradley International Airport

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. (WWLP) – If you leave something on a plane, the airlines handle that. TSA has their own lost and found as well, but if you leave an item curbside at the airport or between the checkpoint and gates the Connecticut State Police retrieve the item and hold it for six months to a year. The 22News I-Team got an inside look at this unique lost and found. Read more Bradley Airport lost and found

“Look at this (a digital camera) this is somebody’s memories,” said Connecticut State Trooper Fernando Hernandez.

When you leave or lose an item at Bradley International Airport, there’s a good chance the Connecticut State Police have it.

“This is a speaker, Bluetooth speaker brand new, no one has called looking for it. We’ll end up auctioning that off,” said Trooper Hernandez.

The airport’s lost and found is stored at the State Police Barracks in Windsor Locks and the overflow goes to their barracks in Hartford. Trooper Fernando Hernandez is in charge of processing all the items.

(One sneaker?) “There’s certain things that baffle your mind, we have pretty useful crutches,” said Trooper Hernandez.

(What’s some of the strangest things you found that were either claimed or unclaimed?) “There’s a television, a flat screen television we still have that. There was a wedding dress, that bride came back that evening,” said Trooper Hernandez.Bradley Airport lost Property

He continues, “Motorcycle helmet, we’ve got laptops after laptop, cell phones, seasonal part of the year, coats and jackets.”

(What do we have in here?) “This is a heavy bag, it’s full of miscellaneous items. There’s a name on here, we tried to reach to them. They’re actually from Springfield,” said Trooper Hernandez.

(You want to us to bring it back for you?) “You can, actually Allan Prendergast, Allan from Springfield, Allan if this is yours give us a call, we’ll be happy to return it to you.” Said Trooper Hernandez.

The state police takes in around 800 items a year, not counting keys and sunglasses. Trooper Hernandez says only about one in four items get claimed. The State Police will even ship items back to you if you provide a shipping label. Valuable unclaimed items will go to auction, their K-9 unit will train with the lost suitcases and they donate clothes to non-profits.

If you are a non-profit in need of clothing contact us at [email protected] and we’ll get you in touch with the State Police.

If you think you’ve left something at Bradley International Airport here’s what you can do.

If you left something on an airplane, contact the airlines’ baggage claim department.

If you left something anywhere within the inspection lanes and the screening area they are processed by the TSA’s lost and found personnel. You can call the TSA directly at 860.804.4109.

If you left an item anywhere else on the airport grounds, that item is turned over to the State Police. You can call 860.292.7400.