U.S. authorities have arrested two men in connection with the dramatic theft of Secretary Kristi Noem’s designer handbag, which contained $3,000 in cash and important personal items, during a family outing in Washington, D.C.
Two Arrested in Theft of Kristi Noem's Designer Handbag During Easter Dinner
Two Arrested in Theft of Kristi Noem's Designer Handbag During Easter Dinner
Police apprehend two suspects linked to the theft of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s bag while she dined with family in Washington, D.C.
Authorities have made two arrests in connection with the theft of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's designer handbag, which was stolen on Easter Sunday while she dined at a popular restaurant in Washington, D.C. The incident raised eyebrows and prompted a swift response from law enforcement.
On Saturday, police arrested 49-year-old Mario Bustamante Leiva, while the following day, 51-year-old Cristian Rodrigo Montecino-Sanzanaat was apprehended by the U.S. Secret Service in Miami. Bustamante Leiva faces multiple charges, including robbery, aggravated identity theft, and wire fraud. A criminal complaint against him claims he is also connected to other thefts, using the proceeds to purchase gift cards and book hotel rooms.
The theft occurred at the famed Capital Burger restaurant, where Noem had placed her Gucci handbag under her seat. Surveillance footage allegedly captured Bustamante Leiva taking the bag and escaping on a bus. Later, he was seen at an Italian restaurant, where he made a purchase with one of Noem’s stolen credit cards, amounting to $205.87.
Montecino-Sanzanaat's arrest unfolded at a drugstore in Miami, with authorities suggesting his involvement in a series of thefts in the D.C. area. The legal representation for both suspects remains unidentified at this time.
Notably, Bustamante Leiva, a Chilean citizen, has a prior criminal history. In 2015, he was sentenced to three years in London for a series of thefts from eateries and bars. Kristen Noem mentioned on social media that the suspect has been in the U.S. illegally for several years and described him as a "career criminal."
Noem's handbag contained significant items, including $3,000 in cash, credit cards, her Homeland Security badge, medication, and her driver's license. A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security shared that Noem had withdrawn cash to treat her family to meals and holiday gifts. During the theft, agents responsible for her security were present in the restaurant but did not immediately notice the crime taking place.
