Woman caught on camera illegally taking goose eggs, Niles police say

NILES, Ill. (WLS) -- Niles police are looking to identify a woman involved in a rather unusual crime.

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Police shared video showing a woman putting goose eggs from a nest in her pockets on Monday at about 4:18 p.m.

The nest was located on the side of 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. They're hoping the community can help identify the woman caught on camera.

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.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Animal Control Officer Cole at aec@vniles.com.