Suspect Faces Federal Charges After Stealing Kristi Noem’s Purse

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Suspect Faces Federal Charges After Stealing Kristi Noem’s Purse \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A man accused of stealing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s purse has been federally charged with aggravated identity theft, robbery, and fraud. Authorities say Mario Bustamante Leiva used Noem’s stolen credit cards to make purchases before being arrested. Immigration officials confirmed Bustamante Leiva, a Chilean national, is also facing an immigration detainer.

Quick Looks

Mario Bustamante Leiva charged with aggravated identity theft, robbery, and fraud.
Incident occurred while Noem dined at a Washington, D.C., restaurant under Secret Service protection.
Bustamante Leiva used Noem’s credit cards to buy food and alcohol.
Purse and wallet recovered from suspect’s motel room.
Bustamante Leiva also linked to two other purse thefts.
Suspect identified through surveillance after using a stolen gift card.
ICE places immigration detainer against Bustamante Leiva.
Noem calls suspect a “career criminal” in public statement.

Deep Look

The theft of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s purse while dining under Secret Service protection in Washington, D.C., has led to federal charges against a man authorities describe as a “career criminal” with a history of illegal presence in the United States.

The case — involving charges of aggravated identity theft, robbery, and fraud — has captured national attention not just because of the high-profile victim, but because of its intersection with ongoing debates over immigration enforcement, urban crime, and public security.

How the Theft Happened

According to a Secret Service affidavit, the events unfolded on the evening of April 20, when Kristi Noem was dining at a Washington restaurant, protected as part of her Cabinet-level security detail.

Video footage captured Mario Bustamante Leiva, 49, allegedly stealing Noem’s purse in a brazen act while Secret Service agents were present in the vicinity.
Authorities believe Bustamante Leiva discreetly removed the purse without immediately alerting either the Secretary or her security team.

Later that evening, Bustamante Leiva used Noem’s stolen credit cards to:

Make more than $200 worth of purchases at a different restaurant, mainly food and alcohol.

The Secret Service confirmed that the items charged to Noem’s stolen cards matched the timeline and transactions consistent with Bustamante Leiva’s movements after the theft.

Notably, court documents did not initially identify Noem by name. However, details disclosed in federal affidavits and news reports unmistakably tied the case to the Homeland Security Secretary.

Authorities emphasize there is no evidence that Noem was specifically targeted because of her position, suggesting that Bustamante Leiva likely saw her simply as an opportunity for theft.

Bustamante Leiva’s Criminal Activity

Further investigation revealed that Bustamante Leiva:

Is suspected in two other purse thefts at different D.C. area restaurants earlier this month.
Used another victim’s stolen credit card to purchase wine at a local grocery store.
Appeared to work with an accomplice in at least one of the thefts, although the second suspect has not yet been publicly identified.

After using a stolen gift card at a motel, investigators traced his movements, leading to his arrest.
When shown a photo of Secretary Noem during questioning, Bustamante Leiva claimed he had no idea who she was — suggesting opportunistic, not politically motivated, theft.

A search of his motel room uncovered Noem’s missing purse and wallet, strengthening the federal case against him.

Noem’s Response and Political Overtones

Following Bustamante Leiva’s arrest, Secretary Noem issued a strong statement:

“This is a career criminal who has been in our country illegally for years.”

Her comment spotlighted broader concerns about immigration enforcement and repeat offenders — two themes that are increasingly politically charged in the U.S.

Indeed, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed it had issued an immigration detainer against Bustamante Leiva, a native of Chile, seeking to deport him after the criminal proceedings conclude.

Bustamante Leiva’s immigration status could add to political tensions over how individuals with prior records and unlawful status are handled within the U.S. justice system.

Security Questions Raised

Though there’s no evidence that Bustamante Leiva targeted Noem specifically, the incident raises inevitable questions:

How was a Cabinet secretary’s personal belongings accessed so easily in a public venue under active Secret Service protection?
Were any security protocols breached?
Will new procedures be put in place to further secure high-ranking officials in casual settings?

The Secret Service has not commented on any changes to its procedures following the incident, but security experts note that threats to VIPs in public, informal settings — like restaurants — can be difficult to fully mitigate.

Legal Process Moving Forward

At his initial court appearance, Bustamante Leiva faced multiple federal charges but had not yet entered a plea.
The charges against him carry serious penalties:

Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory minimum sentence of two years, consecutive to any other sentences.
Robbery and fraud charges could add several more years if convicted.

Because of the ICE detainer, if Bustamante Leiva is convicted and sentenced, immigration authorities will seek to detain him immediately upon his release to begin deportation proceedings.

Court records as of Monday did not list an attorney representing him.

A Broader Pattern

This incident is not isolated.
Washington, D.C., like many major cities, has seen a sharp increase in property crimes, including:

Wallet and purse thefts.
Credit card fraud.
Organized small-group thefts operating in high-traffic areas like restaurants, hotels, and public transportation hubs.

In high-profile incidents involving government officials or public figures, the stakes — and scrutiny — are naturally higher.
Cases like this highlight the need for robust, real-time policing of everyday crimes even as major cities wrestle with larger public safety reforms.

Conclusion: A Case That Touches National Nerves

At its core, the theft of Secretary Noem’s purse is a classic example of opportunistic urban crime.
Yet because of the political prominence of the victim, the immigration status of the suspect, and the symbolic weight of Homeland Security’s role in public safety, it reverberates far beyond a simple act of petty theft.

It underscores:

The ongoing debate over immigration enforcement.
Rising concerns about urban crime and public safety.
The constant challenges of VIP protection in unpredictable public settings.

As federal prosecutors move forward with their case against Bustamante Leiva, the incident remains a vivid reminder that even those charged with protecting national security can find themselves vulnerable to the persistent risks of ordinary crime.