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Monee Brothers Get Supervision For Birdnapping

TINLEY PARK (STNG) ― After evading police for three months, a pair of Monee brothers who kidnapped a rare bird at a Tinley Park pet store have turned themselves in.

Richard Marberg, 22, and Matthew Marberg, 20, who live in the 5300 block of Pauling Road in Monee, have been charged with theft for stealing a 6-inch light blue Quaker Parrot May 16 from Petland, 16195 Harlem Ave. in Tinley Park, police Cmdr. Phil Valois said.

Unknown to police, the brothers turned themselves in to court last week. On Wednesday, a judge ordered four months of supervision each, Valois said. Police issued a warrant for the Marbergs' arrest earlier this month after they would not return officers' phone calls or answer the door to officers who came to their home.

"I am thrilled that they admitted they did it," Petland co-owner Marion Oddo said. "It's over. ... I would rather have [the Marbergs receive] community service, but this actually might deter them from any further pranks getting out of hand."

Oddo said police told her the Marbergs' attorney said the incident was a prank.

The duo was caught on tape stealing the bird while store employees entertained children at a birthday party in the back of the store. A man who hid his face from the store's surveillance camera returned the bird a week later.

The bird, which remains unnamed, has completely recovered and is doing well, Oddo said.

"The bird is quite a celebrity," she said. "A lot of people do come in and say, 'Where's the bird in the newspaper?' It's very social now. It's a little pudgy thing."

-- SouthtownStar

(Source: Sun-Times News Group Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2008. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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