Chainsaw Thief Charged With Felony In Interstate Crime

Niles police investigated, and have charged the offender in, a theft operation in which a Niles man is charged with taking chainsaws, worth about $1,000 each, from a Williamstown, Mich. store and selling them here to pawn shops or on Craigslist, according to a police department press release.

Niles police worked with Michigan and Wisconsin police agencies in the investigation.

Williamstown, Mich. police contacted Niles police to say an offender had taken Stihl chainsaws from power equipment stores in their jurisdiction and about six others. Williamstown Police Department said three of them were listed for sale in Niles, Ill. in the area of Golf Road and Milwaukee Avenue. He said two male and two female offenders usually worked together, with the older woman wearing a long dress and concealing the chainsaw between her legs. 

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Niles police contacted the Craigslist seller, who said the chainsaws had already been sold. Police determined he lived at 8109 W. Church St., and, after conducting surveillance, said his photo matched that of store security photos of the suspect in the crimes, and his vehicle matched a description of a vehicle used in the crimes. The suspect, Ali Ivanov, had an extensive criminal history.

Police discovered a new Craigslist listing for six chainsaws, offered at a Des Plaines pawn shop. They determined the serial numbers of these chainsaws matched the stolen ones. The pawnshop owner's paperwork showed that the seller of the chainsaws was Ivanov, and the pawnshop owner identified him from a photo line-up.

On April 17, Niles detectives received information Ivanov was going to pawn more chainsaws, and Niles and Des Plaines police set up surveillance on the pawn shop. When he arrived with six new chainsaws, they took him into custody for the selling and possession of the previously stolen items. 

Later investigation showed the six new chainsaws were from stores in Wisconsin.

A woman who was with Ivanov turned out to be his mother and was released pending further invesigation.

Niles police charged Ali Ivanov with felony theft and possession of stolen goods. The value of the 12 chainsaws recovered was more than $12,000. 

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