Two men, Mario Bustamante Leiva and Cristian Rodrigo Montecino-Sanzanaat, have been arrested for allegedly stealing a handbag belonging to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. The incident took place while Noem dined with her family at a Washington D.C. restaurant, raising questions about security for high-profile officials.
Authorities Apprehend Two Suspects in Kristi Noem Handbag Theft Case
Authorities Apprehend Two Suspects in Kristi Noem Handbag Theft Case
Recent arrests made in connection with the theft of U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's designer handbag during a family outing in Washington D.C.
In a recent development, police have arrested two men suspected in the theft of a handbag belonging to Kristi Noem, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security. The incident took place on Easter Sunday while she was dining at Capital Burger in Washington D.C. The first suspect, 49-year-old Mario Bustamante Leiva, was arrested on Saturday, while the second, identified as Cristian Rodrigo Montecino-Sanzanaat, was apprehended in Miami a day later, according to the U.S. Secret Service.
Bustamante Leiva faces serious charges, including robbery, aggravated identity theft, and wire fraud. A criminal complaint filed indicated his involvement in other robberies, where he allegedly used the stolen funds for various expenditures, including gift cards and hotel rooms. Reports indicate that he was caught on surveillance video stealing Noem's Gucci handbag as it sat under her seat. The bag contained $3,000 in cash, credit cards, Noem's Homeland Security badge, medication, and other personal items. Following the theft, Bustamante Leiva reportedly spent approximately $205 on food and drinks at an Italian restaurant with one of Noem's credit cards.
Authorities have pointed out Montecino-Sanzanaat’s alleged connection to a broader pattern of thefts in the Washington area. Secret Service agents, who were present in the restaurant during the theft, did not immediately notice the crime taking place. Noem, who previously served as governor of South Dakota, took to social media following the incident, labeling Bustamante Leiva a "career criminal" and highlighting his illegal status in the U.S.
While lawyers for the suspects have not been publicly identified, Bustamante Leiva's criminal history includes a three-year sentence served in London for multiple thefts. This incident raises significant concerns regarding the security protocols surrounding high-ranking officials, particularly when incidents like these occur in public spaces.
Bustamante Leiva faces serious charges, including robbery, aggravated identity theft, and wire fraud. A criminal complaint filed indicated his involvement in other robberies, where he allegedly used the stolen funds for various expenditures, including gift cards and hotel rooms. Reports indicate that he was caught on surveillance video stealing Noem's Gucci handbag as it sat under her seat. The bag contained $3,000 in cash, credit cards, Noem's Homeland Security badge, medication, and other personal items. Following the theft, Bustamante Leiva reportedly spent approximately $205 on food and drinks at an Italian restaurant with one of Noem's credit cards.
Authorities have pointed out Montecino-Sanzanaat’s alleged connection to a broader pattern of thefts in the Washington area. Secret Service agents, who were present in the restaurant during the theft, did not immediately notice the crime taking place. Noem, who previously served as governor of South Dakota, took to social media following the incident, labeling Bustamante Leiva a "career criminal" and highlighting his illegal status in the U.S.
While lawyers for the suspects have not been publicly identified, Bustamante Leiva's criminal history includes a three-year sentence served in London for multiple thefts. This incident raises significant concerns regarding the security protocols surrounding high-ranking officials, particularly when incidents like these occur in public spaces.
