Report: Fiat heir Lapo Elkann arrested after allegedly staging own kidnapping

Fashion entrepreneur reportedly tried to get $10,000 to continue partying in NYC

Fiat heir Lapo Elkann, grandson of the late Gianni Agnelli and brother of FCA chairman John Elkann, was arrested in New York City over the weekend for filing a false police report alleging his own kidnapping with the intent to acquire $10,000 to continue partying, Reuters reports.

Several news outlets, including the New York Daily News, cite police sources saying Elkann flew into New York on Thanksgiving and proceeded to party in a housing project in Kips Bay with a friend. Some time later, Elkann contacted his family and told them he was being held against his will and required $10,000 to secure his own release.

Elkann’s family contacted the NYPD, and detectives tracked Elkann and an unnamed companion to a location to pick up the cash and took them in for questioning. Elkann has been charged with filing a false police report. He was released and ordered to appear in court for an arraignment hearing.