WAUKESHA, WI (WTAQ) - A two-day trial is scheduled to begin October second for two teens accused of breaking into a cage, and stealing a popular owl from wildlife rehab center in Waukesha County.

18-year-old Dilan White of Dousman considered a plea deal, before learning that prosecutors wanted him and Matthew Kuhlemeyer to pay $22,000 in restitution.

White’s attorney, Paul Bucher, called the request “absurd.”

The amount includes compensation for the time volunteers spent in searching for Dakota. The great-horned owl was stolen last November from the Wildlife in Need Center near Oconomowoc. The owl was gone for several weeks before being found on a nearby porch in poor health.

Bucher said he wanted to resolve the restitution dispute before proceeding with a trial. But the judge in the case said both sides could only take an hour to discuss it – otherwise, they’ll have to wait until a sentencing hearing if one needs to be scheduled.

White and Kuhlmeyer are both charged with felony burglary and misdemeanor criminal damage. A final pre-trial hearing is set for September 27th.