Man Accused of Stealing DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s Purse Faces Federal Charges

In a shocking Easter weekend event, a man was accused of stealing the purse of Kristi Noem, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), while she was out eating lunch with her family.

The U.S. Secret Service filed federal criminal charges against Mario Bustamante Leiva, a 49-year-old man, for his role in this and other robberies. It’s a case that highlights not just theft, but also identity fraud and wire fraud, making it a serious federal crime.

What Are the Charges Against the Suspect?

According to the complaint filed on Monday, Bustamante Leiva faces multiple charges:

Wire fraud
Aggravated identity theft
Robbery

Authorities claim that between April 12, 2024, and April 20, 2025, Bustamante Leiva carried out three separate robberies. After each robbery, he reportedly used the stolen credit cards to make fraudulent purchases.

He was arrested on Saturday by officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the U.S. Secret Service.

How Did the Thefts Happen?

Police say Bustamante Leiva, who is an illegally present Chilean national, used a similar trick each time:

He would enter a restaurant, approach victims while they were eating, steal their purses from the backs of their seats, and quickly leave before anyone noticed.

Security cameras caught video of the incidents, which helped detectives identify him. At the time of his arrest, Bustamante Leiva was already facing two counts of robbery, and more charges were expected.

What Happened to Kristi Noem’s Purse?

Kristi Noem was having lunch with her family on Easter Sunday at The Capital Burger in Washington, D.C..

According to reports, her purse was placed on the floor next to her table. Security footage shows a White man wearing a surgical mask, dark pants, and a baseball cap grabbing the bag and walking out of the restaurant.

Inside Noem’s luxury bag were important and personal items, including: