One of the two trained Hawks stolen from outside Sophie Stadium was found in Hacienda Heights during the Rams’ game Sunday, nearly 25 miles from where the vehicle was filmed during the robbery.
It was stolen from the stadium on September 28, and the remaining keys of a two-seater electric vehicle in the ignition switch were stolen. The Eagles (named Bubba and Alice) were placed in green containers in the rear seats and disappeared along with the vehicle.
Buba was found near Seventh Street in Manor Heights after the homeowner found the Eagle in her backyard and contacted the Ingwood Police Department. Falconer Charles Cogger, who trained and owned the Hawks, ran to the location.
“I made arrangements to get there as soon as possible and got Baba back,” Koger told NBC Los Angeles. “Alice is still there, but it makes me wish she would show up.”
The Eagles were hired by Sofi Stadium to stop other birds from flying over Sofi Stadium during the game, keeping fans safe from unpleasant aerial feces and keeping birds from eating discarded food.
Harris’s Hawks, also known as the sea-winged eagle, are large, thin raptors that breed in the Southwest United States and throughout South America. Their vision is eight times that of humans and is known for team hunting.
On September 29, near South Los Angeles, about 5 miles from Sophie Stadium, the Hawks’ Kawasaki UTV was found and 25 miles from Hacienda Heights.
Ingwood police released a photo of the suspect taken by stadium security cameras, calling him a male adult “wearing a black jacket with white stripes along the shoulders, black pants and black shoes.”
Cogger holds hope that Alice will appear. Each of Cogger’s eagles wear a metal band on its legs, identifying it as captive breeding.
“They can only walk for so long without eating or getting water,” he said.
Anyone with information about Alice can contact the Ingwood Police Department Watch Commander at (310) 412-5206. Crime stoppers are offering rewards for the safe reward of the Eagle.
