Thieves make off with 100 pigeons in Aquebogue

Someone stole more than 100 show pigeons, some of which had supposedly piqued the interest of boxer and avid pigeon collector Mike Tyson, from a coop at an Aquebogue farm last week.
The theft was reported about 9:30 a.m. Friday, Riverhead Police said.
“I went there to feed them and I saw the lock was broken off,” said the birds’ owner Charlie Bordsen of Mattituck. Police said the birds were worth about $4,000 total.
Mr. Bordsen said the former heavyweight champ, who regularly attends pigeon shows, was interested in purchasing a few of his birds, known as flying flights.
Mr. Bordsen had promised to sell Mr. Tyson the birds after he was to enter them in a competition this year. But the birds that Mr. Tyson had shown interest in were among those missing, Mr. Bordsen lamented, while noting also that he did not suspect Mr. Tyson.
He said he still has about 200 birds.
He added that show pigeon thefts are quite common in New York City, as certain birds can sell for as high as $150 to $200.
Mr. Bordsen is offering a $1,000 reward for the birds’ return.
He is asking anyone with additional information to call Riverhead Police at 727-4500.
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