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March 31, 2001

Bird theft added to couple's charges?

- Stolen $1,600 parrot found in house of couple aptly named Brightbills
By HEATHER VAN DYKE
Record-Eagle staff writer

      TRAVERSE CITY - Police believe a Rapid City couple charged Friday with credit card fraud also may have stolen a parrot from a pet store in February.
      Detectives said they found the parrot at the home of Kelly Marie Brightbill, 23, and her husband, Thomas Scott Brightbill, 34, who were arraigned Friday on three separate felony charges.
      The female Eclectus parrot was reported stolen from PetSmart at Grand Traverse Crossings around 6 p.m. Feb. 3, said Scott Fewins, Grand Traverse County sheriff.
      The Brightbills were arraigned Friday on charges of stealing credit cards from two different women on March 22 and making several purchases with them the same day. If convicted, the Brightbills each face up to 12 years in prison and $6,000 in fines.
      The Brightbills each were released on a $5,000 bond and are scheduled for an April 9 preliminary examination on the credit card fraud charge.
      Police arrested the couple Wednesday when Deputy Mark Depew responded to several complaints about a green Ford Explorer matching Thomas Brightbills driving erratically through town.
      Depew pulled over Thomas Brightbill and arrested him on charges of driving under the influence of drugs. According to police records, charges are still pending against Thomas Brightbill for possession of cocaine.
      Police said Kelly Brightbill made several purchases with what later turned out to be stolen credit cards.
      On Thursday, Detective Chris Oosse searched the Brightbill home, looking for items bought with the credit cards, and came across a red and blue parrot that matched the description of the missing $1,600 bird.
      While police have positively identified the parrot found Thursday as the missing parrot - "Facts back that up," Oosse said - no charges have been filed.
      Mike Monroe, manager of PetSmart, said the parrot is back at the store and in good condition.
      He said he was glad to get it back .
      "They are a very expensive bird," he said.
      Heather VanDyke is the reporter for Traverse City. She can be reached at (231) 933-1479, or at hvandyke@record-eagle.com