Recovery of Stolen Hawk from SoFi Stadium
A dramatic turn of events unfolded on Sunday when one of the two trained hawks, Bubba, stolen from outside SoFi Stadium during a Rams game, was recovered in Hacienda Heights, nearly 25 miles from where the vehicle taken during the heist was found a week ago. The hawks, Bubba and Alice, were employed by SoFi Stadium to deter other birds from flying over the stadium, ensuring fan safety and preventing birds from eating discarded food.
Background of the Incident
A two-seat motorized cart with a key left in the ignition was stolen on September 28 from the stadium, with the hawks housed in green containers in the back seat. The theft occurred during a Rams game, and the vehicle was later found abandoned in a South L.A. neighborhood. Falconer Charles Cogger, who trained and owned the hawks, had been searching for them since the incident.
Recovery Efforts and Description of the Hawks
Bubba was recovered near Seventh Street in Hacienda Heights after a homeowner spotted the hawk in her backyard and contacted the Inglewood Police Department. Cogger rushed to the location and was reunited with Bubba. The hawks are Harris’s hawks, also known as bay-winged hawks, which are large, lanky raptors with exceptional vision, eight times better than that of humans. They are known for hunting together as a team and are native to the southwestern U.S. and South America.
Investigation and Search for the Second Hawk
The Inglewood Police Department released a photo of the suspect taken by stadium security cameras, describing him as a male adult wearing a black jacket with a white stripe, black pants, and black shoes. Cogger is holding out hope that Alice will turn up, as each of his hawks wears a metal band around its leg that identifies it as captive-bred. Anyone with information about Alice can contact the Inglewood Police Department watch commander at (310) 412-5206, and Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for the hawk’s safe return.
Conclusion and Call to Action
The recovery of Bubba brings new hope for the safe return of Alice. With the ongoing investigation and the public’s help, it is possible that Alice will be reunited with Cogger soon. For more information on this incident and the efforts to recover Alice, please visit Here
Image Source: www.latimes.com
