Entertainment

Kim Kardashian robbery may have been inside job, officials say

Investigators focused Tuesday on a possible inside job in the theft of more than $10 million US worth of jewelry from Kim Kardashian West, after taking her chauffeur that night and his brother into custody.

Paris police arrested chauffeur, his brother among 17 taken in connection with gunpoint robbery

American TV personality Kim Kardashian had no comment after Paris officials said she may have been robbed last year by people working for her, including her chauffeur. (Lionel Cironneau/Associated Press)

Investigators focused Tuesday on a possible inside job in the theft of more than $10 million US worth of jewelry from Kim Kardashian West, after taking her chauffeur that night and his brother into custody.

Three Paris officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation, confirmed the arrest of the driver and his younger brother among 17 people taken into custody. Michael Madar, 40, and Gary Madar, 27, worked for the same livery company, according to two of the officials.

The suspects ranged in age from 23 to 72, and included several known for prior robberies and other crimes, according to a police document seen by The Associated Press.
On Oct.3, 2016, a French police officer enters the residence of Kim Kardashian West in Paris to investigate the robbery. (Michael Euler/Associated Press)

The driver arrested had been Kardashian's chauffeur during Fashion Show week in the French capital.

Reuters is reporting DNA on the plastic bands used to tie up Kardashian helped lead police to some of the suspects, which include known underworld figures.

The officials would not elaborate on how they believe the theft was planned. Kardashian West's bodyguard was gone for the night, and the robbers forced their way into the private apartment where she was staying, tied her up and made off with the jewelry.

Earlier this month, the starlet broke her silence on the robbery in a teaser for the Kardashian family's reality show, telling two of her sisters her thoughts at the time: "They're going to shoot me in the back. There's no way out."

A spokeswoman for the reality star said she had no comment after Monday's arrests.

With files from Reuters