IDNR Police Press Charges After Video Reveals Woman Illegally Collecting Goose Eggs Near Golf Mill Mall, According to Niles Police

In Niles, Illinois, a suspect faces charges after being caught on camera allegedly stealing goose eggs earlier this week.

Officials from the Niles Police Department announced on Saturday that the case has been transferred to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police for further action.

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Thanks to tips from the community, authorities were able to identify and charge a suspect in connection with the theft, according to the police.

As of now, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police has not disclosed the name of the individual charged in this incident.

The Niles police released footage showing a woman removing goose eggs from a nest and placing them in her pockets. The incident occurred around 4:18 p.m. on Monday, with the nest located beside a building near the Golf Mill Mall.

Canada geese are protected in Illinois, by the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Without a permit, it’s illegal kill them, or disturb their nests, eggs or young.

Animal control believes the goose eggs were just a couple weeks away from hatching.

Niles police had set up the camera to monitor a pair of adult Canada geese and their eggs that were nested there for the last couple of weeks.

“Two hours later, I get footage of a woman taking the eggs instead of the adult geese coming back,” Niles police Animal Control Officer Allison Cole said. “Mixed reactions, I’m shocked. A part of me is still trying to think, ‘OK, maybe she’s affiliated with an organization or wildlife rehabilitation that was also aware of this nest and monitoring them.’”

Local wildlife organizations confirmed it was not any of their employees.

“Sometimes it’s just a matter of educating; some people truly don’t know they’re not supposed to do this. And just educating, maybe getting some fines is what’s warranted,” Cole said.

If you ever come across any nests with eggs in them, do not touch them. And if you believe they’re abandoned, then you should call the Department of Natural Resources or local wildlife organizations.