On April 26, 2025, a suspect was arrested in Washington, D.C., for stealing a Gucci handbag belonging to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The theft occurred on Easter Sunday at The Capital Burger restaurant, where Noem was dining with her family. The purse contained sensitive items, including her DHS badge, passport, driver’s license, medication, keys, blank checks, and approximately $3,000 in cash. A second suspect, believed to be a co-conspirator, was apprehended in Miami the following day. According to Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Ed Martin, both individuals are in the United States illegally, prompting involvement from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Security footage revealed the primary suspect, identified as 49-year-old Mario Bustamante Leiva, skillfully executing the theft. Wearing a mask and dark clothing, he sat near Noem’s table, used his foot to slide the bag toward himself, covered it with a jacket, and fled. Noem, distracted by her grandchildren, initially mistook the movement for a child’s kick. The Secret Service, which provides Noem’s protection, launched an investigation, uncovering potential device and credit card fraud linked to the suspects. Leiva faces charges of robbery, aggravated identity theft, and wire fraud, with additional counts from two prior thefts in D.C. restaurants on April 12 and 17.
Noem, a staunch advocate for President Trump’s immigration crackdown, emphasized the suspect’s status as a “career criminal” in a statement, linking the incident to broader concerns about illegal immigration. “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,” she said. Martin echoed this sentiment, stating that Trump’s directive is to prosecute and deport such individuals swiftly, ensuring they “won’t be back on the streets in America.”
The arrests have sparked discussions about security lapses, given Noem’s high-profile role. Law enforcement sources clarified that the theft was not targeted due to her position, with Martin noting, “It was frankly, it was a nice-looking purse.” The Secret Service confirmed the incident had no “protective nexus” to Noem’s duties, but concerns linger about how the thief evaded her security detail. The investigation also revealed a pattern of similar thefts in D.C.’s Penn Quarter, suggesting a broader theft ring.
Public reaction has been mixed, with some praising the swift arrests and others questioning the focus on the suspects’ immigration status. Posts on X reflect strong sentiments, with users like @nicksortor describing the arrest as a “one-way ticket to El Salvador.” The case underscores tensions around immigration policy and crime, amplifying debates in Trump’s administration. As charges are finalized, the Secret Service and U.S. Attorney’s Office will present findings in federal court, potentially setting a precedent for handling similar cases involving high-ranking officials.
