In the early hours of October 3, 2016, the luxurious Hotel de Pourtalès in Paris became the stage for a shocking robbery when a group of elderly thieves broke in, targeting American reality TV star Kim Kardashian. The robbers, a gang that has since earned the nickname "grandpa robbers," carried out their plan while Kardashian rested in her suite after attending Fashion Week. The robbers made off with a staggering $10 million worth of jewelry, including an engagement ring valued at $4 million from her then-husband, rapper Kanye West.
Among the alleged perpetrators is 62-year-old Yunice Abbas, who described this heist in his memoir as his final job before retirement. However, their careless mistakes led to their capture only three months later. Now, ten of the criminals are set to face trial in Paris, including Abbas and his accomplice Aomar Ait Khedache, who confessed to their involvement.
On that fateful night, the burglars dressed as police officers, forcing their way into the hotel where they handcuffed the night receptionist, Abderrahmane Ouatiki, before storming into Kardashian’s room. Panic ensued as the situation escalated; Kardashian attempted to call for help but realized her security was absent. The robbers aggressively demanded her jewelry amidst the chaos. Thankfully, they opted not to assault her but instead tied her up and fled the scene on bikes, leaving her locked in the bathroom.
Despite the intense planning, the criminals failed to consider modern forensic techniques, leaving behind DNA traces that would ultimately lead to their identification and arrest. Abbas, upon waking up to news reports about the heist, couldn’t believe they had targeted one of the world’s most famous celebrities. As investigations unfolded, police discovered that the gang had used information gleaned from Kardashian’s social media posts to time the robbery. Unbeknownst to them, police techniques had advanced significantly, making their planning appear almost amateurish.
As the trial approaches, questions linger about how the robbers obtained crucial details about Kardashian's whereabouts on that night. Accusations have been made against Gary Madar, a transportation provider for the Kardashians, suggesting he fed intelligence to the thieves, but he flatly denies involvement.
The larger implications of this incident extend beyond mere entertainment; it spotlights the intersection of traditional crime and modern celebrity culture. Journalist Patricia Tourancheau noted the irony of these aging criminals facing off against a global icon like Kardashian, highlighting their starkly different worlds. As Kardashian prepares to testify, her experience not only impacted her personal life—instigating changes in her public persona and social media behavior—but also raises questions about the nature of fame and the lengths people may go to exploit it.
With the trial set to unfold over three weeks, the anticipated media frenzy surrounding Kardashian’s appearance in court will reignite discussions about celebrity, crime, and societal perceptions of justice. As Yunice Abbas prepares for the possibility of imprisonment, he reflects on the indelible mark that night left, a story that captures an unusual mixing of aged banditry and pop culture chaos.
