At least 16 arrested in connection to Kim Kardashian robbery
Several suspects were detained by authorities in Paris on Monday morning in connection with the robbery of Kim Kardashian West, which took place back in October.
Months after Kardashian West was held at gunpoint and robbed of more than $10 million in jewelry at her hotel while in Paris for fashion week, the Associated Press reports at least 16 people (CNN and other sources report 17) have been arrested and are being held for questioning in relation to the crime.
The ages of the suspects range from 23 to 72 years old, and according to a Paris police official, those arrested have a history of prior robberies and other criminal offenses.
The arrests began around 6 a.m. on Monday in locations around Paris and the south of France. During their investigation, officials discovered various firearms, including an automatic pistol, and 140,000 euros ($147,500) in cash.
After learning of the arrests, Jean Veil, the French lawyer for Kardashian West, described the news as "a great satisfaction."
"These arrests are a nice surprise because we might be able to find the jewels," he told the French magazine L'Express on Monday.
Though Kardashian West had remained silent in the months following the robbery, she was recently seen recalling the situation in a preview for Keeping Up With the Kardashians.
Days earlier, the reality television star also made a long-awaited return to social media, posting her first official Instagram since the events unfolded — a photograph of her with her husband, Kanye West, and their two children.
According to media reports, in addition to reviewing footage from nearby surveillance cameras, police were able to locate the robbery suspects after testing DNA evidence found at the residence.
The suspects can now be held for up to 96 hours until police have to charge them or release them from custody.
Mashable reached out to Kardashian West's publicist for comment.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
Nicole is a Senior Editor at Mashable. She primarily covers entertainment and digital culture trends, and in her free time she can be found watching TV, sending voice notes, or going viral on Twitter for admiring knitwear. You can follow her on Twitter @nicolemichele5.
