Apr 27, 2025 - Politics & Policy

2 suspects arrested in theft of Kristi Noem's purse, officials say

Rebecca Falconer

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem speaks at the Border Security Expo at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona, April 8, 2025. — Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem in Phoenix, Arizona, earlier this month. Photo: Rebecca Noble/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's purse being stolen from a Washington, D.C., burger restaurant, a U.S. Secret Service official said Sunday evening.

The big picture: A man was arrested Saturday in D.C. and "a second defendant who is believed to be implicated in the same pattern of robberies and thefts was arrested today in Miami Beach, Florida," per an emailed statement from USSS spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi.

Driving the news: The bag that was reported stolen from Capital Burger restaurant earlier this month contained Noem's driver's license and passport, DHS access badge, checks, medicine, makeup and roughly $3,000 in cash, reported Axios D.C.'s Anna Spiegel.

Mario Bustamante Leiva, 49, was "charged with two counts of Robbery (Stealth)" and "faces additional charges for an offense" that the USSS is investigating, per a Sunday Metropolitan Police Department statement.

What we're watching: The second suspect's name will be released once charges are formally filed, Guglielmi said in his email.

"He currently remains detained by immigration and customs enforcement in Florida," Guglielmi added.

Go deeper: Kristi Noem's purse snatched at fancy D.C. burger spot

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2 suspects arrested in theft of Kristi Noem's purse, officials say

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