A reputed mob figure was sentenced Monday to nearly 5 1/2 years in prison for aiding a sophisticated theft ring that stole millions of dollars in jewelry from traveling salesmen, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Paul J. Schiro, 65, of Scottsdale, Ariz., pleaded guilty in October in U.S. District Court in Chicago to racketeering conspiracy and interstate theft, admitting he took part in thefts and conducted surveillance of jewelry stores and shows as well as store owners and salesmen, the newspaper reported.
The ring was headed by William Hanhardt, former Chicago police chief of detectives, who was sentenced earlier this month to nearly 16 years in prison. Last week, the crew’s top thief, Joseph Basinski, was given a 9-year term.
Schiro’s lawyer, Paul Wagner, said his client admitted joining in the thefts in late 1992, well after the ring had begun stalking and stealing from jewelers, the newspaper reported.
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