Kristi Noem’s Purse Snatched on Easter Sunday; Arrests Made in Multi-State Investigation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two men have been arrested in connection with the theft of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s purse, which was stolen while she dined with her family at a Washington, D.C., restaurant on Easter Sunday. The purse contained approximately $3,000 in cash, Noem’s passport, driver’s license, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) badge, and other personal items.

​

The first suspect, identified as 49-year-old Mario Bustamante Leiva, was apprehended in Washington, D.C., on April 26. Authorities described Leiva as a “serial offender” and noted that he is residing in the U.S. illegally. He has been linked to two other recent purse thefts at Washington restaurants earlier this month and faces robbery charges for those incidents.

A second suspect, Cristian Rodrigo Montecino-Sanzana, was arrested in Miami with assistance from the Miami Beach Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Montecino-Sanzana, a Chilean national, had previously been released into the U.S. in January 2021 despite receiving a notice of expedited removal after an illegal border entry attempt in December. Authorities believe both men may be part of a larger East Coast robbery ring.

Secretary Noem expressed gratitude to law enforcement agencies for their swift action and emphasised the suspects’ criminal records and illegal immigration status. She stated, “Thank you to @SecretService @ICE and our law enforcement partners for finding and arresting the criminal who stole my bag on Easter Sunday as I shared a meal with my family at a Washington, DC restaurant.” ​

The investigation is ongoing, with potential legal proceedings to follow. Authorities have not disclosed details of how the theft transpired despite Noem having a security detail.