Illegal immigrant arrested after stealing DHS Secretary’s purse in D.C. dining theft
By isabelle // 2025-04-28
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  • DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s Gucci purse, containing $3,000 cash, her passport, and a DHS badge, was stolen by an undocumented immigrant at a D.C. restaurant on Easter Sunday.
  • The suspect, Mario Bustamante-Leiva, has a history of theft in the U.S. and U.K., including a 2015 conviction for 22 purse snatchings in London.
  • Noem described the crime as "professionally done," highlighting concerns about public safety and illegal immigration in urban areas.
  • Authorities confirmed the theft was opportunistic, not targeted, but Noem linked it to broader immigration policy failures, calling for stricter enforcement.
  • The purse remains missing, and the case has reignited debates over border security and crime trends under loose immigration policies.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem became the victim of a purse snatching at a Washington, D.C., restaurant on Easter Sunday, with surveillance footage capturing the theft of her Gucci bag containing $3,000 in cash, her passport, a DHS identification badge, and other valuables. The suspect, identified as 49-year-old Mario Bustamante-Leiva, an illegal immigrant from Chile, was arrested days later by the U.S. Secret Service and Metropolitan Police. Leiva, linked to a theft ring, has a documented history of similar crimes in both the U.S. and the United Kingdom.

Thefts in plain sight

The incident occurred as Noem dined at The Capital Burger with family. According to security footage, the suspect, wearing a medical mask and a fur-collared jacket, used his foot to drag her bag from under her table before fleeing. Noem described the theft as “very professionally done” during an interview with the VINCE Show, emphasizing how such crimes plague communities. NBC News confirmed the suspect’s illegal status, while former Secret Service agent Ronald Layton observed that even high-profile individuals sometimes seek extra privacy while on family outings, leaving them vulnerable. The stolen bag held sensitive items: a passport, DHS access badge, apartment keys, and a $600 Louis Vuitton wallet. Noem lamented that none of her belongings had been returned, leaving critical documents unaccounted for.

A repeat offender

Leiva’s criminal history follows him across continents. He was convicted in the U.K. in 2015 for 22 purse snatching charges in London, including stealing from women in public spaces. Leiva, who was unemployed at the time, was sentenced to 12 months in prison. In the U.S., authorities now suspect him of involvement in a broader East Coast theft ring. U.S. Attorney Ed Martin clarified that Noem was not specifically targeted, with the thief likely motivated by the bag’s luxury appearance. Retired NYPD inspector Paul Mauro concurred, calling the crime “the bottom of the criminal food chain.” Noem tied the incident to immigration policy, stating on X: “This individual is a career criminal who has been in our country illegally for years. Unfortunately, so many families in this country have been made victims by crime, and that’s why President Trump is working every single day to make America safe and get these criminal aliens off of our streets.” House Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green echoed this focus, vowing to address security vulnerabilities. The Secret Service, however, concluded the theft lacked a “protective nexus” to Noem’s position. Still, the breach of a high-ranking official’s security underscores broader concerns. A second similar theft occurred days before Noem’s, suggesting systemic issues in D.C.’s public spaces. A second suspect, arrested in Miami, remains unidentified but faces federal charges. Authorities confirmed that both suspects are in the U.S. illegally, with ICE cooperating in detention. Noem’s purse remains unrecovered, and the charges against Leiva include robbery and potential fraud. The theft of Secretary Noem’s purse spotlights the intersection of illegal immigration and public safety, reigniting debates over border control policies. While officials clarify the crime was opportunistic, Noem’s focus on deporting “criminal aliens” aligns with the links between open borders and rising crime rates. As investigations unfold, the case underscores the challenges of securing communities against threats—both foreign and domestic—that never leave the table. Sources for this article include: YourNews.com 100PercentFedUp.com FoxNews.com FoxNews.com
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