Prosecutors file federal charges against suspect in Noem purse theft 

Prosecutors filed federal robbery and wire fraud charges Monday against the man accused of stealing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s purse at a restaurant in downtown Washington, D.C. 

Mario Bustamante Leiva, a 49-year-old Chilean national, was also charged with aggravated identity theft. Authorities say he admitted to stealing Noem’s purse upon his arrest Saturday. 

The charging documents provide the most detailed account yet of the incident and two other robberies in the days beforehand, which prosecutors say the man also committed. 

Bustamante Leiva was seen on Capital Burger cameras sitting down at a table within arm’s reach of Noem shortly before 8 p.m. on Easter, according to the criminal complaint. Noem is not identified by name and is referred to as “Victim-3.”

After sitting down, Bustamante Leiva allegedly pushed his chair back toward the secretary to discreetly swipe her purse, which she had placed at her feet. 

“In the context of this investigation, investigators believe this action was deliberate and done in an effort to get closer to Victim-3’s belongings,” the complaint states. “The suspect then looked downward (likely in the direction of Victim-3’s purse) and then at a child milling around nearby.”

Next, authorities say Bustamante Leiva “twisted his body to his left,” moved the purse toward him and bent down to pick it up. He then got up and left the restaurant, the footage shows.

After leaving, the charging documents indicate Bustamante Leiva took a bus from Chinatown to Georgetown, where he proceeded to spend about $200 using Noem’s credit cards at Angolo Ristorante Italiano. Bustamante Leiva allegedly remained at the bar until roughly midnight, when he exited and fell asleep for about seven hours at an outdoor table. 

The Secret Service arrested Bustamante Leiva on Saturday after a multiday search. Court documents show authorities located the man by tracking purchases on a gift card he allegedly bought using another victim’s stolen credit card. 

Upon being arrested Saturday, Bustamante Leiva purportedly told authorities he was an alcoholic with memory issues but recalled and admitted to stealing Noem’s purse. He indicated he had no prior knowledge about who she was, according to the complaint. 

The man also acknowledged that he was arrested in London in 2014 for stealing designer bags and purses, the documents show. 

Bustamante Leiva could not be reached for comment, and he does not yet have an attorney listed on the case docket. 

Noem, in a post Sunday on social platform X, thanked authorities for finding and arresting the man who stole her bag. She described Bustamante Leiva as “a career criminal who has been in our country illegally for years.”

Police have also arrested a second suspect who is an alleged co-conspirator, but prosecutors have not yet filed federal charges against the individual. 

The new charging documents do not name the second suspect but allege the person was involved in one of the other robberies days earlier. The documents indicate Bustamante Leiva told authorities he met the individual days earlier and they stayed in motel rooms together to save money.