i found an iphone...its locked. how do i find the owner?

You turn it in to the local authority. Thats how you find the owener.

Does it have a carrier listed in the top left corner of the screen? If so, contact that carrier or visit one of their stores to turn it in, or turn it into local law enforcement immediately.

I would go to an Apple Store with your Police identification and speak to the Manager .Surprised a Police Dept doesn't know how to handle such a situation

Eddie194 wrote:

i am the local police...thanks. i have no apple leo (law enforcemnt) contacts...trying to find my victim, the phone is disconnected already.

And if you don't have an Apple Store in your community, call Apple Support:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HE57

identify yourself as a police officer, providing your department and community information and contact, and ask how to proceed. They will almost certainly require you to fax your identification, but at that point might be willing to contact the user. They will not give you any personal information about the owner without a court order.

Regards.

Eddie194 wrote:

its discnnected already...looks like carrier is at&t....but im sure if i go there they wont be able to help. im trying here first before i go there...

I'm pretty sure AT&T would attempt to notify the owner and return the phone if they were able to do so. However, iPhones present a problem to identify. If an iPhone 4 can't be unlocked there's no way to get the IMEI (which is how AT&T would track the owner). Your local AT&T store probably can't or won't put the phone in DFU mode. If the phone is an iPhone 5 or later, the IMEI is engraved on the back. AT&T could then easily contact the owner.

Best of luck.

Now that is a surprise ,no response from OP

mmy friend was sold a stolen iPhone however the true owner could not be located how can I report to Apple so that the owner can collect their phone

Apple doesn't get involved in that. Turn the device in to local law enforcement.

as stated

http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201232