A routine traffic stop led to an unusual discovery in the back of a suspect's truck.
San Bernardino Co. Sheriff's Dept discovered a bucket full of owls when they pulled over a vehicle in the city of Mentone near San Bernardino Avenue and Chrysolite Ave.
According to police, when deputies talked with the driver and his passenger they appeared to be acting suspicious.
When the deputy looked in the bed of their black truck, he spotted a bucket of live clutches that had been taken from their mother. While not an endangered species, the birds are a federally protected meaning it's illegal to own them without a specific permit from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Police took the men into custody for questioning.
"We found them out in the wash," one suspect explained. "I was just trying to save them, that's it. Just trying to do the right thing."
Lenore Will, a retired US Forrest Service employee, and local "animal rehabber," works with animals to reintroduce them back into the wild.
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Will said one of the chicks appeared cold and would likely not make it but felt the others could successfully be reunited with their parents.
After more questioning, Police released the suspects without charges a short time later.
