A 49-year-old Chilean national, Mario Bustamante Leiva, has been arrested for allegedly stealing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s Gucci handbag during an Easter Sunday outing in Washington, D.C. The bag reportedly contained $3,000 in cash, Noem’s DHS badge, her passport, and other personal belongings.
Surveillance footage showed the suspect, dressed in dark clothing and wearing a surgical mask, using his foot to discreetly slide the handbag from under Noem’s chair before concealing it with a jacket and walking out of The Capital Burger restaurant.
Authorities believe Bustamante Leiva is part of a larger East Coast robbery ring and confirmed he is in the United States illegally. A second suspect, also identified as an undocumented migrant, was apprehended later in Miami in connection with the case. Officials have linked both suspects to a string of similar thefts across multiple states.
Secretary Noem praised the quick response from the Secret Service and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, describing the suspect as a “career criminal” and emphasizing the risks posed by individuals who remain in the country unlawfully.
Federal prosecutors indicated there is no evidence Noem was specifically targeted because of her role in government, suggesting the crime was opportunistic given the high value of the stolen items. Officials reiterated their commitment to prosecuting and deporting individuals involved in criminal activities while in the country illegally.
The incident has sparked broader discussions about security protocols and immigration enforcement, as investigations continue into the broader network behind the thefts.