Another jewelry thief pleads guilty Basinski allegedly helped ex- detective steal millions

"Skinny Joe" Basinski pleaded guilty Monday to helping formerChicago detective chief William Hanhardt run a national jewelry theftring.

Basinski tailed a Park Ridge jewelry salesman who lived near oneof his in-laws for months, worked with Hanhardt to get amanufacturer's key to the trunk of the salesman's Lincoln Town Carand used it to lift a bag containing $58,000 worth of watches fromthe trunk as the salesman ate at an Indian restaurant, Basinski saidin his plea.

That was just one of many heists Basinski, Hanhardt and the restof the defendants pulled off around the country, adding up to $5million to $40 million in stolen jewelry, prosecutors said.

Basinski is …