Mother and Son Arrested, Part of Chain Saw Theft Ring

A mother and son from the Chicago area are charged in Michigan with being part of a chain saw theft ring.

Gaci Juric and Ali Ivanov face a preliminary examination later this month in Mason District Court. The Northfield, Ill., residents are charged with retail fraud and racketeering.

The Ingham County sheriff’s office says the 57-year-old Juric and the 35-year-old Ivanov, along with another person, stole nearly $10,000 worth of Stihl-brand chain saws from various Michigan stores in March 2013 and tried to sell them on Craigslist in the Chicago area. Most of the chain saws were recovered.

Defense lawyer William Hankins said Wednesday he has no comment on the allegations against his clients, who are free on bond. He says “it’s early in the game.”