Latest news with #jewelryheist
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
4 suspects use blowtorches empty safes at Encino jewelry store
A family-owned jewelry store in Encino is left with virtually nothing after a group of thieves emptied their safes in a Monday morning heist. Security cameras captured the four masked intruders breaking into Afghan Lapis Jewelry on Ventura Boulevard. They're heard barking out commands to each other in Spanish while crawling on the ground. They eventually made their way into another room containing the store's alarm system. "They dug a hole from teh store that is vacant next door," the owner's brother Amir Nassiri said. Nassiri said they used a blowtorch to slice open the two steel safes and escaped with hundreds of thousands in valuables. "The safe was cut open, both of them," Nassiri said. "Everything he had, everything he owned, is gone." Nassiri said he and his brother opened the jewelry store more than 42 years ago, but his brother recently took over the business. They did not have insurance. Days later, the smell of scorched metal still lingers in the safe room. "He doesn't know what he is going to do next. Investigators are trying to determine if the burglary is related to similar heists in Simi Valley and downtown Los Angeles. An online fundraiser has been created to help the owner of Afghan Lapis. "He has nothing else to build on, to work on, or anything," Nassiri said.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Watch: Crowds flee as burglar triggers smoke grenades at Claridge's Hotel in £190k jewellery heist attempt
This is the moment passers-by fled as a man set off smoke grenades in an attempt to steal £190,000 worth of jewels from London's iconic Claridge's Hotel. Clad in a balaclava and crash helmet, Jay McGinty, 37, arrived the hotel in Mayfair on a Vespa scooter and set down a smoke grenade, covering a hallway in thick black smoke, before attempting to break into a jewellery cabinet with a sledgehammer in March this year. However, the raid was thwarted when security staff held a revolving door shut, trapped McGinty inside, until police arrived. McGinty was sentenced to six years in jail after pleading guilty to one count of aggravated burglary at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday (29 May).
CNA
23-05-2025
- CNA
Robbery gang convicted of Kim Kardashian jewellery heist in Paris
PARIS: A French court on Friday (May 23) convicted a gang of robbers who stole US$10 million in jewellery from reality TV star Kim Kardashian in a Paris hotel in 2016, although they will not return to jail and the verdicts were more lenient than requested by the prosecution. Describing the heist as "the most terrifying experience of my life", Kardashian swiftly expressed her gratitude to the French authorities for pursuing "justice" in the case. Nine men and one woman have been on trial since April, and prosecutors sought the toughest jail terms - 10 years - for the four men accused of carrying out the robbery. Aomar Ait Khedache, 69, the ringleader, was handed the heaviest sentence of three years in prison plus five years suspended, but due to time served in jail, will not return to detention, like all the others convicted. Two other suspects accused of handing information about the American superstar's whereabouts were acquitted. All the sentences were substantially lower than the terms demanded by the prosecution. Kardashian, then 35, was robbed while staying at an exclusive hotel in the French capital on the night of Oct 2-3, 2016. She was threatened with a gun to the head and tied up, with her mouth taped. Kardashian said after the verdict she was "deeply grateful to the French authorities for pursuing justice". "The crime was the most terrifying experience of my life, leaving a lasting impact on me and my family," she said in a statement sent by her lawyers. "While I'll never forget what happened, I believe in the power of growth and accountability and pray for healing for all," she added. "I AM VERY SORRY" After the hearing adjourned, the convicted men embraced their loved ones in relief and slowly left the courtroom, taking with them the bags and suitcases they had prepared in case of imprisonment. "The sentences are quite lenient; I understand that you understand that you have caused harm," presiding judge David De Pas told them as he read out the verdicts. He also said "the state of health of the main protagonists ethically prohibits incarcerating anyone. It would have been unjust to take you to prison this evening". Aomar Ait Khedache had begged to be forgiven in his final statement ahead of sentencing. Khedache is now virtually mute and completely deaf, and his statement was read out by his lawyer. "I ask for forgiveness. I can't find the words. I am very sorry," he wrote, asking for "a thousand pardons" from his son Harminy, who was convicted for acting as a driver on the night of the heist. Two other men convicted of carrying out the robbery on the night, Yunice Abbas, 71, and Didier Dubreucq, 69, were sentenced to seven years' jail, including five suspended. Dubreucq was absent as he is undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer. The fourth member of the robbery gang, Marc-Alexandre Boyer, at 35, the only youngster, was given the same sentence. Kardashian's lawyers said in a statement that the star "looks forward to putting this tragic episode behind her, as she continues working to improve the criminal justice system on behalf of victims, the innocent, and the incarcerated seeking to redeem themselves". "GRANDPA ROBBERS" Most of the stolen valuables were never recovered, including a diamond ring given to Kardashian by her then-husband, rapper Kanye West. The ring alone was valued at 3.5 million euros (US$3.9 million). The robbery was the biggest against a private individual in France in 20 years. Most of the accused are now in their 60s and 70s and have been dubbed the "Grandpa robbers" by French media. But making the sentencing demands earlier this week, the prosecutor urged the judges and jury to remember that Kardashian was targeted by a violent attack and not to be taken in by the "wrinkles" of the defendants. The American star testified at the trial, wearing a diamond necklace valued at US$3 million, according to its New York-based creator Samer Halimeh. During the trial, Kardashian told the court she forgave Khedache after hearing a letter of apology from him. "I forgive you for what has taken place but it does not change the emotion, the feelings, the trauma and the way my life changed," she told Khedache, adding that she believed in a "second chance". Kardashian, sometimes described as "famous for being famous", became well known in the early 2000s through TV reality shows, before launching fashion brands and appearing in films.
News.com.au
23-05-2025
- News.com.au
Kardashian 'grateful' after Paris robbers convicted
A French court on Friday convicted a gang of robbers who stole $10 million in jewellery from reality TV star Kim Kardashian in a Paris hotel in 2016, although they will not return to jail and the verdicts were more lenient than requested by the prosecution. Describing the heist as "the most terrifying experience of my life", Kardashian swiftly expressed her gratitude to the French authorities for pursuing "justice" in the case. Nine men and one woman have been on trial since April and prosecutors sought the toughest jail terms -- 10 years -- for the four men accused of carrying out the robbery. Aomar Ait Khedache, 69, the ringleader, was handed the heaviest sentence of three years in prison plus five years suspended, but due to time served in jail will not return to detention, like all the others convicted. Two other suspects accused of handing information about the American superstar's whereabouts were acquitted. All the sentences were substantially lower than the terms demanded by the prosecution. Kardashian, then 35, was robbed while staying at an exclusive hotel in the French capital on the night of October 2-3, 2016. She was threatened with a gun to the head and tied up, with her mouth taped. Kardashian said after the verdict she she was "deeply grateful to the French authorities for pursuing justice". "The crime was the most terrifying experience of my life, leaving a lasting impact on me and my family," she said in a statement sent by her lawyers. "While I'll never forget what happened, I believe in the power of growth and accountability and pray for healing for all," she added. - 'I am very sorry' - After the hearing adjourned, the convicted men embraced their loved ones in relief and slowly left the courtroom, taking with them the bags and suitcases they had prepared in case of imprisonment. "The sentences are quite lenient; I understand that you understand that you have caused harm," presiding judge David De Pas told them as he read out the verdicts. He also said "the state of health of the main protagonists ethically prohibits incarcerating anyone. It would have been unjust to take you to prison this evening." Aomar Ait Khedache had begged to be forgiven in his final statement ahead of sentencing. Khedache is now virtually mute and completely deaf, and his statement was read out by his lawyer. "I ask for forgiveness. I can't find the words. I am very sorry," he wrote, asking for "a thousand pardons" from his son Harminy, who was convicted for acting as a driver on the night of the heist. Two other men convicted of carrying out the robbery on the night, Yunice Abbas, 71, and Didier Dubreucq, 69, were sentenced to seven years jail including five suspended. Dubreucq was absent as he is undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer. The fourth member of the robbery gang, Marc-Alexandre Boyer, at 35 the only youngster, was given the same sentence. Kardashian's lawyers said in a statement that the star "looks forward to putting this tragic episode behind her, as she continues working to improve the criminal justice system on behalf of victims, the innocent, and the incarcerated seeking to redeem themselves". - 'Grandpa robbers' - Most of the stolen valuables were never recovered, including a diamond ring given to Kardashian by her then-husband, rapper Kanye West. The ring alone was valued at 3.5 million euros ($3.9 million). The robbery was the biggest against a private individual in France in 20 years. Most of the accused are now in their 60s and 70s and have been dubbed the "Grandpa robbers" by French media. But making the sentencing demands earlier this week, the prosecutor urged the judges and jury to remember that Kardashian was targeted by a violent attack and not to be taken in by the "wrinkles" of the defendants. The American star testified at the trial, wearing a diamond necklace valued at $3 million, according to its New York-based creator Samer Halimeh. During the trial, Kardashian told the court she forgave Khedache after hearing a letter of apology from him. "I forgive you for what has taken place but it does not change the emotion, the feelings, the trauma and the way my life changed," she told Khedache, adding that she believed in a "second chance". Kardashian, sometimes described as "famous for being famous", became well known in the early 2000s through TV reality shows, before launching fashion brands and appearing in films. mdh-sjw/phz
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Kim Kardashian has a strong reaction to Paris jewelry heist robbers being found guilty
Kim Kardashian has reacted to the criminals behind her Paris jewelry heist robbery being found guilty on Friday. In a statement released after the trial, the 44-year - old said she was 'deeply grateful to the French authorities for pursuing justice in this case.' The SKIMS founder added: 'The crime was the most terrifying experience of my life, leaving a lasting impact on me and my family. 'While I'll never forget what happened, I believe in the power of growth and accountability and pray for healing for all,' she added in what could be perceived in a nod to the family of the criminals. She ended with: 'I remain committed to advocating for justice, and promoting a fair legal system.' Kardashian, who was not in court on Friday, lost $10million-worth of jewelry in the October 2016 raid, including a $4million engagement ring from her ex-husband, the rapper Kanye West, that has never been recovered. Her legal team said, 'Kim appreciates the court's decision and once again thanks the French authorities for treating her with great respect throughout the process. It has been a long journey from that terrible night back in 2016 to her standing courageously in a historic Paris courtroom to confront these criminals. 'She looks forward to putting this tragic episode behind her, as she continues working to improve the criminal justice system on behalf of victims, the innocent, and the incarcerated seeking to redeem themselves.' The ringleader and seven members of a gang that tied up and robbed the billionaire reality TV star Kardashian have been found guilty by a Paris court. Aomar Ait Khedache, 69, unable to speak or hear due to illness, read the presiding judge's verdict from a screen, as he had followed the whole trial. He was sentenced to eight years in prison, five of which were suspended. Seven of his co-defendants were also found guilty of crimes including robbery in an organized gang, kidnapping, sequestration, acquisition and possession of weapons, assisting an armed gang, aggravated theft, and complicity in preparation of a criminal act. Most of them also received prison sentences, portions of which were suspended, but all will walk free due to time already served. A jury at the Paris Assizes handed down their verdicts on Friday evening after 11 hours of deliberation, before one was told he would spend just three years in a cell. Two of the defendants – both considered informants who allegedly passed on Ms Kardashian's movement to the gang during Paris Fashion Week – were acquitted. 'The sentences are quite lenient; they were thought of a long way away from this serious event, which impacted the civil parties. You have caused harm, even if you did not strike, if blood has not been shed, you have caused fear,' said the presiding judge David De Pas as he handed down the verdict. Yunice Abbas arrives for the last day of verdict of the Tronchet trial for the 2016 robbery and kidnapping of US celebrity Kim Kardashian at the Assize Court of Paris, on May 23, 2025
