Authorities have made significant strides in the investigation surrounding the theft of a designer handbag belonging to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. The incident transpired on Easter Sunday while Noem was dining at a renowned restaurant in Washington, D.C. Police arrested Mario Bustamante Leiva, 49, on Saturday, and identified Cristian Rodrigo Montecino-Sanzanaat, 51, as an alleged co-conspirator, apprehending him in Miami the following day.
Two Suspects Arrested for Theft of Secretary Kristi Noem's Designer Handbag
Two Suspects Arrested for Theft of Secretary Kristi Noem's Designer Handbag
Authorities detained two men linked to the theft of a high-end handbag from US Secretary Kristi Noem during a family outing in Washington, D.C.
Bustamante Leiva faces serious charges, including robbery, aggravated identity theft, and wire fraud, with allegations linking him to additional robbery incidents. A criminal complaint suggests that he utilized the stolen funds to finance extravagant spends on gift cards and hotel rooms, further muddying his legal troubles. Noem, who previously served as Governor of South Dakota, had her Gucci handbag stolen while dining at Capital Burger, where it sat under her seat. Security footage purportedly captured Bustamante Leiva as he made off with the handbag, followed by a bus ride to an Italian restaurant, where he used one of Noem's credit cards to pay for a meal totaling $205.87.
The arrest of Montecino-Sanzanaat indicates a broader pattern of thefts in the area, according to the U.S. Secret Service. Both men’s legal representation remains unconfirmed. Bustamante Leiva, a Chilean national, has a prior criminal history, having received a three-year prison sentence in London in 2015 for a series of thefts. In a social media post, Noem characterized him as a longtime illegal resident with a longstanding criminal record. The handbag contained $3,000 in cash, along with other personal items, as Noem had withdrawn the money for a family treat. Despite Secret Service agents being present in the restaurant at the time, the theft went unnoticed until it was too late.
The arrest of Montecino-Sanzanaat indicates a broader pattern of thefts in the area, according to the U.S. Secret Service. Both men’s legal representation remains unconfirmed. Bustamante Leiva, a Chilean national, has a prior criminal history, having received a three-year prison sentence in London in 2015 for a series of thefts. In a social media post, Noem characterized him as a longtime illegal resident with a longstanding criminal record. The handbag contained $3,000 in cash, along with other personal items, as Noem had withdrawn the money for a family treat. Despite Secret Service agents being present in the restaurant at the time, the theft went unnoticed until it was too late.
