By Steve Neavling
Law enforcement officials arrested a second suspect Sunday in connection with the theft of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s purse, according to two sources familiar with the investigation, NBC News reports.
The Secret Service said the second individual, who was arrested with help from ICE and Miami Beach police, is implicated in a pattern of thefts with the first suspect.
“This second offender is implicated in a pattern of thefts and robberies with the primary defendant who is accused of the robbery of the Secretary,” a Secret Service spokesperson said.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Ed Martin said the second suspect is also in the country illegally and was charged with possessing stolen or fictitious identification.
The first suspect, Mario E. Bustamante Leiva, a 49-year-old Chilean national, was arrested Saturday. Martin said Bustamante Leiva, who is also in the U.S. illegally, is not believed to have targeted Noem because of her position.
“There is no indication it was because of that. It was frankly, it was a nice looking purse,” Martin said in a recorded interview.
Martin added that immigration authorities are now involved.
“President Trump’s direction to us is we charge these folks that are here illegally and we prosecute them, as well as deport them when need be,” Martin said. “What I can tell you is he won’t be back on the streets in America.”
Martin said the theft appeared professional.
“This was not an amateur. This was a person, a thief, that knew how to do this. You could see how he scouted the room out.”
Matt McCool, head of the Secret Service’s Washington field office, described Bustamante Leiva as a “serial offender.”
“The investigation revealed alleged criminal activity, including potential device and credit card fraud,” McCool said, adding that the Secret Service would present the case to federal court.
The Metropolitan Police Department and Secret Service said Bustamante Leiva faces two robbery charges for allegedly stealing purses from restaurant patrons before Noem’s theft. Additional charges are also expected.
Noem, who receives Secret Service protection, was dining with family last Sunday at Capital Burger in Washington, D.C., when the theft occurred. Surveillance footage showed a masked man drag her purse toward him with his foot, then slip it under his jacket and leave, passing two plainclothes Secret Service officers at the bar.
The stolen purse contained $3,000 in cash, Noem’s DHS access badge, passport, credit cards, blank checks, keys, and her driver’s license.
When asked about the theft at the White House Easter Egg Roll, Noem declined to comment.
“I don’t think I can comment on it yet,” she said. “It’s not resolved yet.”
