2025 solicitation arrest
Carl Bird was arrested during a reverse-sting solicitation operation in the Elgin area on June 10, 2025.
Incident
An undercover officer approached a rusted 1978 rusted Tradesman van parked on the side of Route 25 southbound in the early evening. The officer described the driver as shirtless, wearing cutoff shorts and a gold chain that said 'TWEETY', and covered in crude tattoos. She propositioned Carl to perform a sex act for $40, to which Carl replied, "Hop in, baby!" Carl was taken into custody shortly thereafter. Inside the van, officers found a six-pack of Old Style, several car stereos from 1980s vehicles, a sack of expired Slim Jims, and a duffel bag containing what one deputy called "a suspicious" number of VHS tapes.
Aftermath
Bird was held at the Kane County Jail, with bond reportedly set at $500, which was immediately posted by his attorney, Tony "No Nose" Catellini. When later questioned about the incident, Carl responded:
I thought she was just real friendly, I wasn't planning on paying her. And... That wasn't even my van!
Arresting officer Sgt. Lisa Mercado later told reporters:
The whole thing was so bizarre. This bird man pulls up in a rusty van with a wizard airbrushed on the side, it was like something out of an Adult Swim late night show.
As of July 2026, Bird's trial is still pending.