Troubled RHOBH star Kim Richards 'is HOMELESS and was living in her car' at time of her shoplifting arrest at Target

By Caitlin O'toole For Dailymail.com

Published: 11:18 EST, 4 August 2015 | Updated: 19:15 EST, 4 August 2015

Kim Richards is homeless and was living out of her car when she was arrested for shoplifting at Target on Sunday, it has emerged.

The 50-year-old stayed with friends and family after leaving rehab last month, but quickly ran out of places to crash and has been living in her car ever since, according to TMZ.

The axed Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star was stopped by a security guard at a Van Nuys Target after allegedly attempting to steal several items worth more than $600 in total.

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Homeless: Axed Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Star Kim Richards was living out of her car at the time of her arrest for shoplifting at Target

Homeless: Axed Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Star Kim Richards was living out of her car at the time of her arrest for shoplifting at Target

TMZ reports she attempted to leave the store with a shopping cart filled with more than 50 items, while Us Weekly claims she was trying to walk away with over 100 things.

On Monday, Richards' ex-husband Monty Brinson defended Richards, saying her arrest was a big misunderstanding and denying alcohol or drugs were involved.

'I couldn't imagine Kim stealing or shoplifting anything,' he told Entertainment Tonight. 'She is a giver.' 

Shocked: Ex-husband Monty Brinson has defended Richards, saying her arrest must have been some kind of mistake and denying it was alcohol or drug related

Shocked: Ex-husband Monty Brinson has defended Richards, saying her arrest must have been some kind of mistake and denying it was alcohol or drug related

'I am in complete shock,' Brinson said. 'Guaranteed this must be some kind of mistake, and the facts will come out soon. 

'She was arrested for shoplifting toys in a cart, but this was a clear misunderstanding. This was not alcohol or drug related."

Other family and friends are deeply concerned for the addict but don't know how to help her, reports TMZ.

Entertainment Tonight has revealed that the reality star was booked at the Valley Jail in Van Nuys, California on Sunday. At the time of her arrest, Richards had three shopping carts piled high with toys worth around $1000, but was only charged for a portion of the items, ET reports.

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More trouble: The axed RHOBH star, seen last month, was arrested for shoplifting from Target on Sunday. She spent the night in jail before being released after posting $5000 bail

More trouble: The axed RHOBH star, seen last month, was arrested for shoplifting from Target on Sunday. She spent the night in jail before being released after posting $5000 bail

Kim spent the night behind bars and was released after posting $5,000 bail on Monday afternoon. 

According to ET, she was booked at 7.29pm on Sunday - three hours after being placed under citizen's arrest. 

Just two weeks ago, the troubled reality star had told TMZ that she was 'doing well' after leaving rehab, adding: 'I'm loving my sobriety.'

It came shortly after claims that she fled the Malibu rehab facility where she was being treated for her addiction to alcohol, leaving in the middle of the night.

'Doing well': Kim, seen here in March, went out for dinner in Beverly Hills last month and told TMZ that she's 'loving' her sobriety

'Doing well': Kim, seen here in March, went out for dinner in Beverly Hills last month and told TMZ that she's 'loving' her sobriety

Earlier, E! reported that Kim is currently staying with half-sister Kathy Hilton following her month-long rehab stint. 

The star has been hit by financial woes after being axed from the hit reality franchise. 

She recently moved out of her upscale rental home in LA because, it was claimed, she could no longer afford it now that she's no longer part of Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills.

'Kim is upbeat, but uncertain about her future,' a source previously told E! News. 'But she needs to find her own place to live soon.'

Axed: The 50-year-old has been axed from The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills. She is seen here on season five with sister Kyle Richards and Brandi Glanville, who will also not be returning

Axed: The 50-year-old has been axed from The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills. She is seen here on season five with sister Kyle Richards and Brandi Glanville, who will also not be returning

'Financially, she's stressed,' the insider added. 'Without her Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills salary she's going to have to figure something out. There have been small roles here and there, but she needs money.' 

Although she has been a member of the Bravo reality show since the start in 2010, the blonde socialite will no longer appear 'in any capacity,' according to a new report.

When news first broke that she would not be returning as a full-time cast member, it was suggested she could make cameo appearances but TMZ claimed she's been completely axed from the series.

Feeling the pressure: Richards left rehab in May to attend daughter Brooke's wedding, but ended up relapsing

Feeling the pressure: Richards left rehab in May to attend daughter Brooke's wedding, but ended up relapsing

The troubled reality star originally checked into rehab after her April arrest for public intoxication and battery at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

However, Richards left rehab to attend her daughter Brooke Brinson's wedding in Mexico in May, where she fell off the wagon. She later checked into a new rehab facility. 

Last month, Kim told ET of relapsing at the wedding: 'I was stressed and everybody was looking at me…the bride and groom and the mom who just got out of treatment.

'I was super stressed out and I looked on the ground and there were two little margaritas and I think I drank one. I am not even sure. That mixture of [treatment center prescribed medication] so that is why I probably drank.' 

New life: Sources say the reality star is 'struggling financially' after being axed from Real Housewives. She is seen here in January

New life: Sources say the reality star is 'struggling financially' after being axed from Real Housewives. She is seen here in January

 

 

 

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