Kim Kardashian robbed of millions in jewelry by masked Paris gunmen
FOX 411 and The Associated Press
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Kim Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint of more than $10 million worth of jewelry inside a private Paris residence Sunday night, police said.
A spokeswoman for the reality TV star said Kardashian was "badly shaken but physically unharmed" after men disguised as police officers also tied her up in the flat’s bathroom before fleeing the scene.
Paris police said five armed, masked men, who were still at large, stole a box containing valuables worth $6.7 million as well as a ring worth more than $4 million. The two officials confirmed Kardashian escaped uninjured and that an investigation was underway.
Police said the robbers tied up Kardashian and locked her in the bathroom before escaping on bikes.
Her husband Kanye West was performing at the Meadows Music and Arts Festival in New York City at the time and abruptly ended the concert, telling his fans that he had to deal with a “family emergency.”
"I'm sorry, family emergency I have to stop the show," West told the audience.
Founders Entertainment, which promoted the festival, released a statement to Billboard, saying “"Due to a family emergency, Kanye West was forced to end his performance towards the end of his set. We appreciate the great show he put on for fans to close out the inaugural Meadows Festival. Our thoughts are with West and his family."
Paris has been a special place for the Hollywood power couple, who spent the weekend there before marrying in Florence in May of 2014.
Kardashian stayed at the residence near Paris' Madeleine church. Police said the thieves entered the building after the concierge let them in. Handcuffed and at gunpoint, he then led them to the starlet's flat.
It's unclear whether the couple's two children, 3-year-old daughter North and 10-month-old son Saint, were with Kardashian when the robbery happened. Police said the actress' family was placed under police protection at the George V hotel after the incident.
Kardashian was also ambushed last week by a serial celebrity accoster who attempted to assault her as she was entering a restaurant. She was also attacked outside of a Paris fashion week show in 2014. She wasn't hurt in either incident.
Kim Kardashian robbery story raises some eyebrows
By Diana Falzone - FOX 411
The harrowing details of the armed robbery of $10 million in jewels from Kim Kardashian in Paris has created a media firestorm, and some are saying that's exactly what the reality star wanted.
Adding some fuel to doubters' fires: According to a report from TMZ on Tuesday, there was no surveillance video inside or outside the ultra-expensive, ultra-private hotel.
“How did Kardashian free herself from being tied up in the bathroom? Or who found Kardashian in the hotel room or bathroom? Where was her security and hotel security personnel or hotel security cameras,” wonders pivate investigator Patricia D’Orsa-Dijamco. “If this was a publicity stunt, she could be in big trouble for making a false police report. Does 'Ryan Lochte' sound familiar?”
Lochte is the U.S. swimmer who got in hot water at the Rio Olympics for claiming he was robbed at gunpoint, which later turned out not to be the case.
Police trial expert and former undercover DEA agent Michael Levine said when he first heard of the reality star’s traumatic ordeal he initially thought the Kardashian robbery could be an elaborate hoax.
“It was one of the first possibilities that occurred to me. By now the French police might have a good idea of this," he said. "However, I'm certain they will say nothing. They have enough problems.”
Levine said Paris has more pressing law enforcement issues. “The amount of terrorism problems, threats and investigations ongoing in France right now likely has every man and woman with a badge working double-time, so if you wanted to run a hoax or publicity stunt, and I am not saying that is what they did, but France would be the place to do it,” Levine said.
An NYPD detective told FOX411 that while the robbery sounds legit to him, there may have been some embellishing around the edges.
“Most likely they knew she was staying there, and cased the spot, but it’s more likely they are blowing the story up for publicity because she has a huge security detail," the detective said. "She most likely has something new that’s going to happen.”
The new season of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” debuts on October 23.
However, pop culture expert Lex Jurgen at gossip site WWTDD.com doubts the events were made up, rightly noting that Kardashian is not hurting for attention.
“She has so many ways to get publicity that don’t involve her getting arrested for lying to the police," Jurgen said. "She could lose her top at Fashion Week and get 10 million SEO hits."
FOX411 reached out to the local Paris police department but did not receive comment.
Kardashian’s rep told FOX411 in a statement: "Kim Kardashian West was held up at gunpoint inside her Paris hotel room this evening, by two armed masked men dressed as police officers. She is badly shaken but physically unharmed."