Federal Charges for Suspect in Noem's Purse Theft

A man has been indicted by federal prosecutors following allegations of theft involving the purse of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, among other victims, in Washington, D.C.

Mario Bustamente Leiva is facing serious charges including robbery, fraud via wire, and identity theft linked to three theft incidents occurring between April 12 and April 20. The most publicized of these involved taking Noem's purse during a family's Easter dinner at Capital Burger.

According to a complaint filed by the Secret Service, Bustamente Leiva made illegal purchases with credit cards obtained during these thefts.

Authorities detained Bustamente Leiva, a 49-year-old undocumented Chilean national, at a motel in Washington, D.C.

An accomplice alleged to have been involved in the theft on April 12 was arrested separately in Florida; however, his identity remains undisclosed.

A search of Bustamente Leiva's motel room uncovered Noem's purse, cash, and clothing bearing resemblance to what he wore during the alleged offenses.

Reportedly, Noem's purse contained $3,000 at the time it was stolen.

After acquiring Noem's purse, Bustamente Leiva reportedly used her credit cards to fund purchases, totaling over $200 on food and drink at an Italian eatery.

Following his arrest, Bustamente Leiva needed hospital treatment for alcohol withdrawal symptoms but subsequently confessed to stealing Noem's purse.

He acknowledged the theft but claimed he was unaware of Noem's identity before viewing her photograph.

Surveillance footage from the night of April 20 revealed Bustamente Leiva executing the theft at Capital Burger, just moments after dining near Secretary Noem.

The video depicted Bustamente Leiva maneuvering his leg to reel in Noem's purse, then swiftly bending to pick it up unnoticed.

Within just over a week, Bustamente Leiva was implicated in four similar thefts.

On April 12, Bustamente Leiva reportedly teamed up with another individual, covertly removing a woman's purse from her chair at a Nando’s restaurant.

The stolen credit card from that theft was then used to buy gift cards and pay for accommodations, allegedly including at the motel where Bustamente Leiva was later apprehended.

Other thefts involved a café and the Westin Hotel, both occurring on April 17, though Bustamente Leiva was charged for only some of these incidents.

Investigations excluded Bustamente Leiva’s accomplice from the later thefts, as he was in custody during those events.