'Grandpa robbers' face trial over $10m Kardashian heist

Bound, gagged, and locked in the bathroom of a luxurious apartment in central Paris, Kim Kardashian feared death as five masked thugs stole millions of dollars worth of her jewellery.

- ALEX CROFT

In a case that left the Californian media personality and businesswoman traumatised for years afterwards, a gang of robbers rampaged through the apartment on 3 October 2016, where she was alone while her bodyguard was out with her sister, Kourtney.

Ten people, including five male pensioners dubbed the “Grandpa robbers”, will now face trial nearly nine years after the crime, which took place as Kardashian, then 35, visited the French capital for its 2016 Fashion Week.

The defendants face charges including armed robbery, kidnapping, and criminal conspiracy. Eight of the 10 deny any involvement in the case, which is seen as France’s biggest robbery of an individual, with the value of stolen jewellery reported at nearly $10m – including an 18.9-carat diamond engagement ring gifted by former husband Kanye West worth $4m.

A manhunt followed the robbery, with DNA traces on the plastic bands used to tie Kardashian’s wrists helping lead to the initial arrest of 17 people in January 2017.

Twelve people were later charged in a trial, which was due to begin in 2021. A number of factors led to the long delay, including Covid lockdowns and court timetables being clogged up by other major trials – the 2015 Paris attacks among them. There were also fears the trial would have a negative impact on tourism with Paris hosting the 2024 Olympics.

Kardashian, who fears she has become a “full robot” with “no emotion” following the harrowing ordeal, is expected to give evidence in person at the trial, which will see prosecutors trawl through DNA evidence and surveillance footage before it wraps up in late May.

She is expected to describe how she sat alone in her bedroom without security protection when the five robbers, who were posing as police officers, forcibly entered her apartment and conducted the robbery.