Man arrested for stealing purse from Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem, identified as a repeat offender.
One individual has been apprehended in connection with the theft of a purse belonging to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, while authorities are actively pursuing a second suspect, according to information released by a federal prosecutor on Sunday.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Ed Martin, disclosed that both suspects are believed to be undocumented immigrants. He emphasized that initial findings suggested that the alleged theft was not motivated by an awareness of Noem’s identity. Instead, he noted that it appeared to be a crime of opportunity, with the purse being described as visually appealing.
The case has drawn the attention of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to the undocumented status of the arrested individual. However, specific details regarding the suspect’s identity had not been disclosed by the evening of the announcement.
The incident, which took place on Easter Sunday, involved the theft of Noem’s handbag while she was dining at Capital Burger with family members. Reports indicate that the purse contained approximately ,000 in cash intended for holiday-related expenses, along with various personal items including her keys, a Louis Vuitton wallet, medication, passport, access badge to the Department of Homeland Security, blank checks, driver’s license, and a makeup bag.
Surveillance footage revealed that the suspect, disguised in an N95 mask, entered the restaurant and navigated past two Secret Service agents who were seated at the bar. He then positioned himself at a nearby table, used his foot to discreetly maneuver the bag out from beneath Noem’s chair, and subsequently left the establishment while concealing the bag under his jacket—all while walking by the Secret Service personnel.
Federal authorities indicated that the suspect displayed a level of sophistication in executing the theft, as Martin described him as not being an amateur but rather a determined thief familiar with such operations. The assailant was arrested in Washington D.C. over the weekend following an investigation involving the U.S. Secret Service and the Metropolitan Police Department. Special Agent in Charge Matt McCool characterized the suspect as a serial offender, with connections to at least two other handbag thefts in local restaurants that occurred earlier in the month.
McCool further clarified that the investigation revealed no link between the incident and Noem’s role as Secretary of Homeland Security. Instead, criminal activities associated with the theft included credit card and device fraud potential.
In response to the developments, Secretary Noem expressed gratitude towards the Secret Service, ICE, and local law enforcement for apprehending the suspect, whom she described as a career criminal residing illegally in the country for years. She highlighted broader concerns about crime impacting families nationwide and reiterated commitments to enhancing public safety and addressing illegal immigration.
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