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The development appears to strengthen theories that the brutal crime was
an inside job, and that the gang knew exactly where she would be at any
time.
French police arrested 17 people Monday in connection with the October theft of more than $10 million worth of jewelry from Kim Kardashian West.
Paris police officials said the arrests took place starting around 6 a.m. in different locations in the Paris region. The suspects can be held for up to 96 hours before police must either charge them or let them go.
On Oct. 3, robbers forced their way into the private Paris residence where Kardashian West was staying, tied her up, locked her in a bathroom and held her at gunpoint before making off with her jewelry. The reality TV star was in Paris attending fashion week shows.
Police confirmed a report in Le Monde revealing that the 27-year-old limousine driver would have known all her movements.
The driver worked for an upmarket limo firm that was used by the entire Kardashian family whenever they were in Paris.
Media reports said police tracked down the suspects through DNA evidence found at the residence. An official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t allowed to speak publicly about the investigation said many were already well known for robbery and other crimes.
Pierre B. – the alleged ringleader – was arrested after officers broke down the gate of his villa in Plascassier, a village near Grasse, in the south of France.
The arrests will end ‘outrageous’ speculation that the robbery was all a publicity stunt , her lawyer said today.
Barrister
Jean Veil said his 36-year-old client had been left deeply traumatised
after being bound, gagged and threatened with death in the French
capital last October.
But following coordinated raids at 6am on Monday, the gang – which includes a ‘major thug’ in his 70s – are thought to have been rounded up.
During recent conversations, Mr Veil said Ms Kardashian "still showed some form of anxiety. I think she was recently shocked and had the opportunity to say so on television.
"The money she lost during this robbery is not the only issue. Even though my client was not injured, this assault was very brutal and traumatic. Imagine yourself alone, at night, in front of armed people."
Ms Kardashian feared ‘they're going to shoot me in the back,’ she said this weekend on Keeping up with the Kardashians , adding: "There's no way out. It makes me so upset to think about it."
Police said the thieves stole a jewelry box containing valuables worth 6 million euros ($6.7 million) as well as a ring worth 4 million euros ($4.5 million).
At the time, a spokeswoman for Kardashian West said she was badly shaken but physically unharmed. The robbery raised new concerns about security in the French capital after a string of deadly extremist attacks.
The gang escaped on bicycles but one of them dropped a diamond pendant worth around 28,000 pounds in the street outside.
It was found by a woman who handed it in to police, as grainy CCTV of the men on bikes also emerged.
After months of detailed police work, DNA has now been found in the Hotel de Pourtales – also known as the ‘No Address’, which is close to the U.S. Embassy in the French capital.
The forensics material matches that of a well-known armed robber with a number of convictions whom another officer described as a ‘major thug’.
A suspected ‘Mr Big’ has been partially identified as Pierre B., a ‘career villain’ living in Grasse, in the south of France. All the others arrested were linked to him.
The 72-year-old is part of a diverse network of alleged criminals spanning different communities across France and Belgium.
As well as Pierre B. – who made millions through counterfeit money – those arrested include three women, and two diamond dealers.
Some of the women are thought to have been involved in trailing Ms Kardashian around Paris before the October 3 heist.
A
police source said: "Coordinated raids took place at 6am today. The
suspects were arrested at addresses in greater Paris and in the Gard
department.
"The oldest suspect is 72, while others are in their 50s and 60s. All are well known to the police."
Ms Kardashian, who flew out of Paris within hours of her ordeal, will now have to undergo the ordeal of watching a video of all the men, and may also have to attend an identity parade in Paris.
Mr Veil said: "I think that my client will be re-heard again by the
investigators, or even be confronted with the suspects arrested. This
may be necessary for the investigations, but it will be for the
investigating judge to decide."
DNA samples that ultimately led to today’s arrests were found on a piece of tape used to gag Ms Kardashian, and also on the pendant that the gang dropped in the street.
After three months of checks, the forensic samples were finally found to correspond to one of the gang.
French police arrested 17 people Monday in connection with the October theft of more than $10 million worth of jewelry from Kim Kardashian West.
Paris police officials said the arrests took place starting around 6 a.m. in different locations in the Paris region. The suspects can be held for up to 96 hours before police must either charge them or let them go.
On Oct. 3, robbers forced their way into the private Paris residence where Kardashian West was staying, tied her up, locked her in a bathroom and held her at gunpoint before making off with her jewelry. The reality TV star was in Paris attending fashion week shows.
Police confirmed a report in Le Monde revealing that the 27-year-old limousine driver would have known all her movements.
The driver worked for an upmarket limo firm that was used by the entire Kardashian family whenever they were in Paris.
Media reports said police tracked down the suspects through DNA evidence found at the residence. An official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t allowed to speak publicly about the investigation said many were already well known for robbery and other crimes.
Pierre B. – the alleged ringleader – was arrested after officers broke down the gate of his villa in Plascassier, a village near Grasse, in the south of France.
The arrests will end ‘outrageous’ speculation that the robbery was all a publicity stunt , her lawyer said today.
But following coordinated raids at 6am on Monday, the gang – which includes a ‘major thug’ in his 70s – are thought to have been rounded up.
During recent conversations, Mr Veil said Ms Kardashian "still showed some form of anxiety. I think she was recently shocked and had the opportunity to say so on television.
"The money she lost during this robbery is not the only issue. Even though my client was not injured, this assault was very brutal and traumatic. Imagine yourself alone, at night, in front of armed people."
Ms Kardashian feared ‘they're going to shoot me in the back,’ she said this weekend on Keeping up with the Kardashians , adding: "There's no way out. It makes me so upset to think about it."
Police said the thieves stole a jewelry box containing valuables worth 6 million euros ($6.7 million) as well as a ring worth 4 million euros ($4.5 million).
At the time, a spokeswoman for Kardashian West said she was badly shaken but physically unharmed. The robbery raised new concerns about security in the French capital after a string of deadly extremist attacks.
The gang escaped on bicycles but one of them dropped a diamond pendant worth around 28,000 pounds in the street outside.
After months of detailed police work, DNA has now been found in the Hotel de Pourtales – also known as the ‘No Address’, which is close to the U.S. Embassy in the French capital.
The forensics material matches that of a well-known armed robber with a number of convictions whom another officer described as a ‘major thug’.
A suspected ‘Mr Big’ has been partially identified as Pierre B., a ‘career villain’ living in Grasse, in the south of France. All the others arrested were linked to him.
The 72-year-old is part of a diverse network of alleged criminals spanning different communities across France and Belgium.
As well as Pierre B. – who made millions through counterfeit money – those arrested include three women, and two diamond dealers.
Some of the women are thought to have been involved in trailing Ms Kardashian around Paris before the October 3 heist.
"The oldest suspect is 72, while others are in their 50s and 60s. All are well known to the police."
Ms Kardashian, who flew out of Paris within hours of her ordeal, will now have to undergo the ordeal of watching a video of all the men, and may also have to attend an identity parade in Paris.
DNA samples that ultimately led to today’s arrests were found on a piece of tape used to gag Ms Kardashian, and also on the pendant that the gang dropped in the street.
After three months of checks, the forensic samples were finally found to correspond to one of the gang.
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