'Dumb' target Paris Hilton

Feb 4, 2010, 10:17 GMT

Paris Hilton didn't notice she had been burgled for two months.

The socialite was targeted by the 'Bling Ring Gang' - a group of teenagers, who targeted the homes of the rich and famous - who stole her house keys from under her doormat outside her Los Angeles property but didn't realise until much later when the gang made a return raid, and making off with £1.2million worth of jewellery and valuables.

Nick Prugo - who has since been arrested for his involvement in robbing celebrities - said Paris had been their first target because they felt she was "dumb".

He said: "Like, who would leave a door unlocked? Who would leave a lot of money lying around? Stupid."

He said they had got into the Hollywood Hills home, in a gated community, with a key they had found under a mat. He also claimed to have found five grams of cocaine in Paris' house which he had also taken.

The 'Bling Ring Gang' - made up of five teenagers and a man in his 20s - also stole from the homes of actor Orlando Bloom, actress Rachel Bilson and reality TV star Audrina Partridge; but were caught last November when CCTV footage of a break-in at Lindsay Lohan's house was released.

Police were tipped off about the identities of the gang, who were then arrested. They are said to have amassed a haul worth an estimated £2million in clothes, jewellery, art and cash.

Nick, 18, an aspiring actor who made a full confession when he was caught, said: "There was a definite thrill to it.

"I don't think any of us realised how severe it was until we actually got caught. It didn't seem as bad as it was.

"Now that I look back I realise how serious it was. Looking back, it scares me to death."

He faces up to six years in prison for each burglary. The alleged ringleader of the group, Rachel Lee, 18, has also been arrested, as have gang members Courtney Ames, 18; Alexis Neiers, 18, Diana Tamayo, 19, and Roy Lopez Jr, 27.