1 hawk recovered after SoFi Stadium theft, another remains missing
One of two trained Harris hawks stolen from SoFi Stadium last week has been safely recovered, while the other remains missing, according to the birds’ owner.
The theft occurred around 2:20 p.m. last Monday, when a maroon two-seat Kawasaki utility vehicle carrying the hawks—secured inside green containers—was stolen from the lake area near SoFi Stadium, located at 1001 Stadium Drive in Inglewood, police said.
Witnesses described the suspect as a Black male adult wearing a black shirt and jacket with a white shoulder stripe, black pants, and black shoes. The stolen utility vehicle was last seen near the Century Village shopping area.
The recovered hawk, named Bubba, was found in Hacienda Heights after a resident spotted the bird and contacted authorities. The Inglewood Police Department notified the owner, professional falconer Charles Cogger, who then retrieved Bubba.
“Alice is still out there, but this gives me hope she will show up,” Cogger said, expressing cautious optimism shared by many in Southern California’s falconry community.
The hawks are part of a specialized falconry team used at SoFi Stadium events to deter nuisance birds from entering the venue. While Harris hawks are not endangered, they are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which prohibits the capture, harassment, or hunting of raptors.
Known for their intelligence and cooperative hunting behavior, Harris hawks are unique among birds of prey. They can be identified by their broad wings, long tails with white tips and dark bands, and reddish-brown shoulder patches. Their diet typically includes small birds, rodents, rabbits, and lizards.
The theft of these trained raptors has drawn significant attention due to the specialized skill and care required to train and handle them safely.
Inglewood Police continue to search for the suspect and the missing hawk, Alice.
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