A man has been arrested after an alleged burglary at Kim Kardashian’s Hidden Hills property, where authorities say he was seen loading items into a vehicle before taking a staff member’s car for a drive around the neighborhood.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department identified the suspect as 27-year-old Trey Mendel. A security guard alerted authorities shortly before 4 p.m. on August 9 while Kardashian’s home was undergoing renovations.
Neither Kardashian nor her children were living at the property at the time. No injuries were reported, and authorities said no weapons were found on Mendel.
ABC7 reported that Mendel remains in custody after being arrested on suspicion of burglary and taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent. Formal charges had not yet been filed, with the case expected to be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney for review.
A Security Guard Alerted Authorities to the Property
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According to ABC7, a security guard called authorities shortly before 4 p.m. Sunday to report the suspected burglary. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said Mendel entered the property through a side door and was later seen loading items into a car.
TMZ provided additional details from law enforcement sources, reporting that the suspect allegedly forced his way through a door and removed items from the house. The outlet said a security guard later saw a vehicle being driven around the neighborhood, followed it back to Kardashian’s property and contacted the sheriff’s department.
The Car Belonged to a Member of Kardashian’s Staff
Early reports incorrectly suggested that the vehicle taken during the incident belonged to Kardashian herself. The Los Angeles Times initially reported, citing a law enforcement source, that one of Kardashian’s cars had been stolen from the property.
ABC7 subsequently confirmed that the vehicle actually belonged to a member of Kardashian’s staff. Authorities said Mendel allegedly took the car for a drive around the neighborhood before returning to the property, where he was arrested.
Kardashian and her four children were not at the Hidden Hills home during the incident. The property is currently undergoing renovations, and TMZ reported that Kardashian and her children have been staying in a rental home for the past several months.
Sources Disagree Over Whether the Suspect Actually Entered the House
The Sheriff’s Department told ABC7 that Mendel entered the property through a side door. TMZ’s law enforcement sources similarly said he forced his way inside and removed items.
However, sources close to Kardashian told TMZ that the suspect never actually gained access to the interior of the home. Those sources also said Kardashian currently has none of her possessions inside because of the renovation.
The Case Is Expected to Go to the District Attorney
ABC7 reported that Mendel remains in custody following his arrest. He was arrested on suspicion of burglary and taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent.
Formal criminal charges had not yet been filed, and the case is expected to be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for review.