Oh shoot!
I found a nice vintage wooden ladder, propped up to the trash pick-up bin, on the side of the road. I took it[the ladder]. It was obvious they were throwing it out. Really.
Please check that ladder extremely carefully before using it. There might have been a reason for someone to throw it away, and you don’t want to find out why when you’re at the top.
At work, we are required to inspect any ladder (and fill out an inspection form) before using it. Defective ladders have to be destroyed, not just tossed into a trash bin.
Really.
2080. Any person who finds a thing lost is not bound to take charge of it, unless the person is otherwise required to do so by contract or law, but when the person does take charge of it he or she is thenceforward a depositary for the owner, with the rights and obligations of a depositary for hire. Any person or any public or private entity that finds and takes possession of any money, goods, things in action, or other personal property, or saves any domestic animal from harm, neglect, drowning, or starvation, shall, within a reasonable time, inform the owner, if known, and make restitution without compensation, except a reasonable charge for saving and taking care of the property. Any person who takes possession of a live domestic animal shall provide for humane treatment of the animal.
2080.1. (a) If the owner is unknown or has not claimed the property, the person saving or finding the property shall, if the property is of the value of one hundred dollars ($100) or more, within a reasonable time turn the property over to the police department of the city or city and county, if found therein, or to the sheriff's department of the county if found outside of city limits,