Lost and locked IPhone

Sorry, Apple doesn't get involved in lost or stolen devices and we can't help you find the rightful owner either. You cannot find the owner by the phone's IMEI number. I understand you are hesitant to turn it over to the local authorities, but that is what you should do. If you truly don't want to do that, drop the phone off at an Apple or BestBuy store and ask them to recycle it responsibly.

I do want to thank you for wanting to do the right thing.

That phone shows indications that it was not “simply lost” but that active attempts were made to “crack-into” and re-use it.

It might well be evidence of a theft.

In any case, given it’s current state, turning it over to the authorities yields the highest probability of it possibly being re-united w/ it’s owner.

You're welcome. There's a good chance the owner has already replaced the phone. Hold it for a while and then drop it by any store who recycles electronics. Your Apple Store or if in the US a BestBuy store will recycle the phone responsibly.

I am told there is a way I can use the IMEI serial to reach the owner.

To do that, you would need to have the IMEI number and then contact the carrier to which the phone is locked.

The carrier will very likely refuse to divulge any information about the owner without a court order.

If you are not the owner and do not have the Apple ID and Password then there is no way that you can get into this iPhone unless the original owner shares the Apple ID and password with you. If you are lucky you can get into this iPhone if they (owner) accidentally remove the device from their Apple ID.