Alleged Napervillle bird thief arrested in Ind. after police shootout

A man sought in connection with the theft of an exotic Severe Macaw from a Naperville pet store has been apprehended after a shootout with police in Indiana, authorities said Wednesday.

Michael D. Drogosz, 26, is behind bars in Starke County, Ind., after authorities said he opened fire on police officers attempting to serve him with an arrest warrant.

Naperville police said Drogosz is believed responsible for the Jan. 19 theft of the green, 7-month-old female macaw named Sarah from the Petland store on the 700 block of South Route 59 near the Westfield Fox Valley shopping center.

The arrest warrant on Drogosz had nothing to do with the macaw, officials said.

Indiana authorities tried to serve the warrant on Drogosz for charges of burglary and violating terms of his parole from prison.

Two officers from the Starke County Sheriff's office tried to serve the warrant at the home where Drogosz was staying, but were told by a woman that he was armed and refused to come out, authorities said.

Two people were evacuated and the house was surrounded, officials said. During the standoff, Drogosz fired several shots at police.

Officers lobbed tear gas into the home - which started a fire - and forced Drogosz out.

A sheriff's office spokesman said Drogosz was charged with four counts each of attempted murder and attempted aggravated battery, along with two other felonies.

The macaw has been returned to the Naperville store.

It was stolen between Jan. 19 and Jan. 29 and is valued at as much as $2,500. It has been examined by veterinarians.