French police arrest 16 people including veteran crooks aged between 50 and 72 over Kim Kardashian j

Kardashian, 36, was tied up and robbed at gunpoint in apartment in Paris, France

• Police have arrested 16 people in the Paris region over the October 3 robbery

• Men are aged between 50 and 72 and most have criminal records, source says

• The arrests were made in part thanks to traces of DNA left behind at the scene

French police today swooped on a gang of veteran armed robbers suspected of stealing millions of pounds worth of jewellery from Kim Kardashian in Paris.

Coordinated raids at 6am saw a total of 16 men including a 'major thug' arrested in the city, and also in the south of France.

They are mainly in the age range 50 to 72, and most have long criminal records, said a source close to the case.

All are accused of breaking into the reality TV star's Paris apartment block last October, and tying her up at gunpoint, along with a security guard.

This morning, it emerged that the DNA sample that ultimately led to today's arrest was found on a piece of tape used to gag Ms Kardashian.

Reality star Kim, 36, was woken at 2.35am on October 3 as she slept in her luxury Paris apartment

Coordinated raids at 6am saw a total of 16 men including a 'major thug' arrested in the city, and also in the south of France. A handcuffed man was seen being led in to a police station in Paris following the raids today

After three months of checks, it was finally found to correspond to a well-known criminal who had been involved in numerous armed robberies.

He has not been named but – like all the others in custody – can be held for up to 96 hours before being charged or released.

The sixteen men's homes are still being searched, with documents and other potential evidence being seized.

Raids are also underway at other key premises, including a jewellery shop in the centre of Paris.

The source confirmed that 'months of surveillance' has taken place, including phone taps.

Spending patterns have been looked at, and attempts to re-sell the jewellery stolen in October.

Beyond the five thought to have been directly involved in the crime, others include so called 'fences' who can dispose of stolen goods.

One theory is that many of Ms Kardashian's jewels ended up in Antwerp – the diamond capital of Europe.

Just an hour before the robbery, Kim posted a video on Snapchat that showed her wearing the engagement ring (left)

Belgium police are known to be involved in the investigation, and are carrying out checks in a number of businesses in the port city.

Ms Kardashian feared 'they're going to shoot me in the back,' she said this weekend, adding: 'There's no way out. It makes me so upset to think about it.'

After months of detailed police work, DNA has now been found in the Hotel de Pourtales – also known as 'No Address', which is close to the U.S. Embassy in the French capital.

The forensics material matches that of a well-known armed robber with a number of convictions whom another officer described as a 'major thug'. All the others arrested were linked to him.

'Coordinated raids took place at 6am today,' said the source. 'The men were arrested at addresses in greater Paris and in the Gard department.

'The oldest supect is 72, while others are in their 50s and 60s. All are well known to the police.'

Ms Kardashian, who flew out of Paris within hours of her ordeal, will now have to undergo the ordeal of watching a video of all the men.

It is being sent to New York, where she will have to watch it with American officers working with the French.

'The hope is that she will be able to recognise the men, so as to make positive identifications,' said the source.

Ms Kardashian, was tied up and locked a bathroom as the gang fled with jewellery including a ring worth around £4million, and a case of jewellery worth £5million.

The 36-year-old, who is married to rap star Kanye West, finally broke her silence about the incident on 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians' at the weekend.

The gang escaped on bicycles but one of them dropped a diamond pendant worth around £28,000 in the street outside.

Bling: Kim posted this image of the £3.5m ring that was stolen on Instagram before the robbery

It was found by a woman who handed it in to police, as grainy CCTV of the men on bikes also emerged.

Ms Kardashian also lodged a legal complaint after she was filmed at the flat immediately after the robbery – possibly by an aide.

Her lawyers said in October the video was made 'without her consent or the police's and while the police were investigating the crime scene'.

Ms Kardashian has, meanwhile, said she is prepared to return to France if summoned by a judge leading the investigation.

Jean Veil, the barrister acting for her in Paris, said last year that 'she is very calm and very determined over a matter that was particularly violent'.

Mr Veil said: 'If she is summoned to France, she will come to France, but judges also have the possibility of moving [to the USA]. This is a formal process, which cannot be done on the phone, or even via a video link.'

The five men thought to have been directly involved in the attack face charges of 'armed robbery by an organised gang, criminal conspiracy and kidnapping'.

An instructing judge is leading an investigation involving some 100 judicial and criminal brigade officers.