Bobcat Found During Warrant Search Cannot Be Released Into Wild

ORLAND PARK, IL -- A live bobcat found in a shuttered Orland Park storefront during a weapons warrant search Feb. 28 was turned over to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Police also found two loaded handguns, 100 rounds of ammunition, drug paraphernalia and suspected narcotics.

The bobcat, named Lynxie, was found in a small office inside the building. The man who lived there, Philip Giese, 41, was charged with two felony counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. Giese was also cited for possession of a wild animal.

Cmdr. Tony Farrell, of the Orland Park Police Department, said officers had advance information that a bobcat was possibly living in the storefront. Officers found Lynxie in a small 6-by-6-foot office.

“There was another person living in the building who was not arrested,” Farrell said. “They lied and said its name was Simba so we didn’t know it was a wild animal. Eventually they told us the bobcat’s real name.”

>>> Guns, Bobcat Found In Orland Park Storefront: Cops

The IDNR did not disclose where the bobcat was taken. Farrell said Lynxie cannot be released into the wild because he’s been declawed.

“I’m sure there are better places for a bobcat to be than locked in a small room with just one window. He’s obviously a Bears fan,” Farrell added, referring to Lynxie's Chicago Bears doll.

Police are still researching the ownership of the property.