Guaranteed Cash Reward For Stolen Bald Eagle's Return: Officials

QUOGUE, NY — Officials are set to announce a guaranteed cash reward for information that leads to an arrest in the case of a stolen bald eagle with a partially amputated right wing.

On Saturday, Suffolk County Police Chief of Department Stuart Cameron, Suffolk County Crime Stoppers President Nick Amarr, Suffolk County SPCA Chief Roy Gross, Quogue Village Police Department Chief Christopher B. Isola, and Quogue Wildlife Refuge Director Michael Nelson will gather at Suffolk County Police headquarters in Yaphank to announce the reward.

The bald eagle was stolen from the Quogue Wildlife Refuge this week, police said.

According to Quogue Village Police, officers responded to the facility, located on Old Country Road, and were told by staffers that a 35-year old male bald eagle with a partially amputated right wing had been removed from its cage and could not be found.

Upon further investigation, it was determined that the eagle's enclosure had been cut with a sharp instrument and the fencing pulled back to allow access; the eagle was removed from its enclosure and taken to an unknown location, police said.

The bald eagle has lived at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge since 1988, when it was sent to the facility by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after being injured in the western United States, police said. The male's right wing was partially amputated as a result of these injuries and is unable to fly, police said.

Possession of a bald eagle, a federally protected species, is a federal offense punishable by fines and jail time, police said.

Anyone with information about the incident can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, texting “SCPD” and a message to “CRIMES” (274637) or emailing www.tipsubmit.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.