Kim Kardashian West isn't the only person who is hoping her robbers are tracked down and arrested—the city of Paris is relying on it.
Vanity Fair discussed the reality star's robbery—or "L'Affaire Kardashian," as they're referring to it in the City of Lights—with Paris police chief Christian Sainte for his first interview with the foreign media. He admitted the future of Paris is reliant on officials tracking down the robbers.
"I'm very confident," he told the magazine, and he has to be. The city lost nearly $1 billion in tourism revenue following the 2015 terrorist attacks, and it can't afford another burden such as this one.
"It's important because of the implication: Is Paris secure?" the chief explained. "It's important economically. So that's another reason why it is important for us to solve this case."
While he can't disclose whether any of the alleged suspects have been identified, he can provide the details he knows for sure.
"We can say that there is a professional team that committed this crime, and they seem to be organized," he told VF. "That's why the B.R.B. [an elite Paris crime unit, La Brigade de Répression du Banditisme] is on the case. The B.R.B. has experience with people who attack with arms, and a big part of the brigade is now working on the Kim Kardashian case."
The police chief also explained why he believes Kim was targeted in this attack.
First and foremost, due to the security of banks, wired cash and A.T.M.s that are heavily guarded, thieves in Paris have started going for home robberies more often.
"Old, rich people are very vulnerable," the chief explained. "Or business owners, restaurant owners, who have cash at home. It's quick. And you can get a lot of money in a very short time."
Kim, however, is another story. Sainte says he believes the thieves found her just as the rest of the world does: on social media.
"She's giving information on social media all the time," he said, referencing the photo of the reality star showing off her estimated $4 million Lorraine Schwartz wedding ring as well as a diamond grill in her mouth.
Not to mention, the No Address Hotel where Kim was staying is not especially secure for someone of that stature (and with that kind of money) to be staying alone.
The chief revealed that, not only has the door code—the only thing keeping outsiders from entering the lobby—remained the same for six years, but hundreds of people have been granted access to it over the years. There are very few C.C.T.V. cameras at the entrances in order to protect the identities of the high-profile people who have stayed there in the past—including Madonna, Jay Z and Beyoncé—and Kim's apartment, in particular, had only, one single lock and no bolt.
"Simple building, no cameras, no sophisticated locks," Sainte explained.
While several details remain up in the air regarding Kim's robbery case, the police chief says one thing is for sure: it wasn't staged.
"At this time, there is no doubt about the reality of the crime."
After she was bound, gagged and held at gunpoint in the Paris apartment in early October, Kim has remained secluded in her home, only being photographed a select few times since the robbery as she continues to recover. She even stayed quiet on her 36th birthday over the weekend.
In fact, a source recently told us she has a long way to recover before returning to her normal life again. "Kim is doing better but she still has a long way to recover from the robbery," the insider revealed. "She has been receiving some professional counseling. Her friends and family have been really supportive. Her sisters and mom have been checking on her every day."
Though the insider said Kanye West stays home with her and the kids, North West and Saint West, as much as he can, he's in the middle of touring, and she struggles most when she's by herself. "Kim is very paranoid still when she is alone. She has been having flashbacks and hasn't been sleeping well," the source said. "Her security is always around her now."
Kris Jenner also reiterated this when catching up with E! News just last week.
"It's a process," Jenner explained. "One day at a time. It's a process."
Kris said her focus is "doing what a mother does" by having loved ones gather around Kim and making sure she feels safe. Kris said Kim's main concern is her family spending time with her kids.