17 detained in Kardashian jewelry robbery in Paris
PARIS — French police arrested 17 people Monday in the October theft of more than $10 million worth of jewelry from Kim Kardashian West, who was tied up and locked in a bathroom after armed robbers forced their way into her rented Paris apartment.
Authorities said police seized weapons and a large amount of cash in multiple raids that took placed starting around 6 a.m. in different locations in the Paris region and the south of France. The suspects ranged in age from 23 to 72, and included several known for prior robberies and other crimes, according to a police document.
Among the items seized were an automatic pistol and other weapons, as well as $147,500 in cash, said police officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The Paris prosecutors’ office confirmed the arrests, but declined to say whether they included five people that police have said took part in the actual robbery.
During the Oct. 3 robbery, gunmen forced their way into the private Paris residence where Kardashian West was staying, tied her up and locked her in a bathroom before making off with her jewelry. The reality TV star was in Paris attending fashion week shows.
Media reports said police tracked down the suspects through DNA evidence in the apartment.
Kardashian West has the habit of showing her jewels and whereabouts on social media, including days before the robbery when she posted pictures of herself attending fashion week shows.
Police said the thieves stole a jewelry box containing valuables worth $6.7 million as well as a ring worth $4.5 million.
Jean Veil, Kardashian West’s lawyer in France, told the French newsmagazine L’Express on Monday that the arrests might help recover the jewels.