Suspect in Noem purse snatching tells authorities he didn't recognize her
A complaint filed on Monday reveals more details about the suspects accused of snatching Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's purse from a restaurant in Washington, D.C. last weekend.
Authorities arrested two suspects in connection to the theft of Noem's purse on Easter Sunday at the Capital Burger — reportedly containing roughly $3,000 in cash along with her driver's license, passport, keys and Homeland Security badge. Noem had planned to use the cash to pay for her family's dinner and other Easter activities.
The United States Secret Service and the Metropolitan Police Department arrested the primary suspect, 49-year-old Mario Bustamante Leiva, a Chilean national, in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, according to the complaint. The Secret Service called the individual a 'serial offender' in a statement released about the arrests on Sunday.
The complaint outlines federal charges of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and robbery against Bustamante Leiva in connection with Noem's theft along with two other incidents that took place between April 12 and April 20. Bustamante Leiva's attorney could not be reached for comment about the charges.
Interim District of Columbia U.S. Attorney Ed Martin, during a Saturday appearance on NBC News, said Bustamante Leiva was in the country illegally. POLITICO could not independently confirm Bustamante Leiva's immigration status.
Noem thanked law enforcement for making the arrest on Sunday, linking the theft to her efforts to carry out President Donald Trump's sweeping immigration crackdown.
'This individual is a career criminal who has been in our country illegally for years,' Noem wrote in a post to X. ' Unfortunately, so many families in this country have been made victims by crime, and that's why President Trump is working every single day to make America safe and get these criminal aliens off of our streets.'
According to the complaint, Bustamante Leiva admitted to stealing Noem's purse and denied recognizing Noem when shown a photo of her by law enforcement.
Bustamante Leiva said he used his feet to slide out Noem's purse from underneath the chair she was sitting at before fleeing the restaurant with the bag, according to the complaint. He had told authorities that he still had the purse and that it was inside a motel room purchased using stolen credit cards. Bustamante Leiva also made claims of being an alcoholic and having memory issues.
Bustamante Leiva made $205.87 in fraudulent purchases using Noem's stolen credit cards, according to the filing.
The USSS statement from Sunday also announced a second arrest in Miami in connection with the theft. The agency said the second suspect — whose name hasn't been released — 'is believed to be a co-conspirator with the primary defendant.' Bustamante Leiva said, according to the complaint, that he had only known the individual for a few days before the robberies.
Noem's theft comes as the Trump administration rapidly intensifies its deportation efforts — targeting international students and green card holders involved in last year's pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
22 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
An immigrant Wisconsin man falsely accused of threatening Trump can be released on bond
CHICAGO (AP) — An immigrant man who was falsely accused of threatening to assassinate President Donald Trump can be released from a Wisconsin prison on bond, an immigration judge determined Tuesday. Ramón Morales Reyes was accused of a writing a letter threatening Trump in a blistering social media post by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The post includes Morales Reyes' photo and an excerpt from the letter he purportedly wrote in English. But the claims quickly fell apart as Wisconsin authorities determined that Reyes, who doesn't speak English well or write in the language, was framed. The immigrant from Mexico was a victim in a violent 2023 attack where his bike was stolen. According to authorities, the alleged attacker, Demetric D. Scott , forged the letter to try to clear his case. Morales Reyes was set to be a witness in Scott's July trial for armed robbery and aggravated battery. Judge Carla Espinoza set Morales Reyes bond at $7,500 during a brief hearing at immigration court in Chicago. 'The defendant does not present a danger to the community,' she said. Morales Reyes, 54, appeared virtually from Dodge Detention Center in Juneau, about 70 miles (113 kilometers) north of Milwaukee. He could be released this week if the federal government does not appeal. An attorney for the federal government did not speak at the hearing. In a statement Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security said it would 'continue to fight for the arrest, detention, and removal' of immigrants without legal status but did not respond to a question about whether government attorneys would appeal Morales Reyes' bond. Morales Reyes, a married father of three U.S. citizen children, works as a dishwasher in Milwaukee. He was arrested by immigration agents last month after dropping a child off at school. He immigrated from Mexico in the 1980s and doesn't have legal permission to be in the U.S. This year, he applied for a U visa, which is for people in the country illegally who are victims of serious crimes. Getting such a visa can take years. Homeland Security issued a statement to reporters last week saying that although Morales Reyes was no longer considered a threat to Trump, federal attorneys would still pursue an immigration case. The government alleges that Morales Reyes reentered the U.S. times numerous times without a visa. However, Noem's social media post blaming Morales Reyes for an assassination attempt, which was circulated by Trump supporters, remains online. Cain Oulahan, an attorney for Morales Reyes, said his client is a crime victim and blasted the misinformation. 'We'd like to hear an official public correction and that someone else is responsible,' he said. Ahead of Tuesday's hearing, Morales Reyes daughter spoke to reporters, saying her father is hardworking and always focused on putting food on the table and keeping a roof over the family's heads. She said he also loved to take his children to parks or for walks and planned frequent cookouts. 'My dad is a not a threat to anyone. He is a good man who got caught up in a terrible situation,' said Anna Morales. 'Now that the truth has been proven, I ask from the bottom of my heart he gets the justice he deserves. We need him more than words can explain.' Scott, who is in the Milwaukee County Jail, is due in court Tuesday on the newer charges related to the letter, including felony witness intimidation and identity theft. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Chicago Tribune
2 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
One year from the largest World Cup ever, many questions unanswered on tickets and security
NEW YORK — A year from the largest World Cup ever, there has been no announcement on general ticket sales, prices for most seats, location of a draw or security arrangements as FIFA has mostly avoided disclosing details of an event set for 16 stadiums across the United States, Mexico and Canada. There is uncertainty about whether fans from some nations will be welcome — 11 of the venues are located in the U.S., where all matches will be played from the quarterfinals on. Security is a concern, too. At the last major soccer tournament in the U.S., the 2024 Copa America final at Miami Gardens, Florida, started 82 minutes late after spectators breached security gates. 'That was certainly a reminder and a wake-up call if anybody needed it that those types of things are going to be used in terms of the ultimate assessment of whether this World Cup is successful,' said former U.S. defender Alexi Lalas, now Fox's lead soccer analyst. U.S. President Donald Trump's travel ban on citizens from 12 nations exempted athletes, coaches, staff and relatives while not mentioning fans. Vice President JD Vance made what could be interpreted as a warning on May 6. 'Of course everybody is welcome to come and see this incredible event. I know we'll have visitors probably from close to 100 countries. We want them to come. We want them to celebrate. We want them to watch the game,' he said. 'But when the time is up they'll have to go home. Otherwise they'll have to talk to Secretary Noem,' he added, speaking alongside Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. The 1994 World Cup sparked the launch of Major League Soccer with 12 teams in 1996, and $50 million in World Cup profits seeded the U.S. Soccer Foundation, tasked with developing the sport's growth. MLS now has 30 teams, plays in 22 soccer specific stadiums and has club academies to grow the sport and improve talent. Next year's tournament will include 104 games, up from 64 from 1998 through 2022, and the 11 U.S. stadiums are all NFL homes with lucrative luxury suites and club seating. It also will be the first World Cup run by FIFA without a local organizing committee. 'The legacy initiative of 2026 is around how we ensure that soccer is everywhere in this county,' U.S. Soccer Federation CEO JT Batson said. 'How do we ensure that every American can walk, ride their bike or take public transit to a safe place to play soccer? How do we make it to where every school in America has soccer accessible to their students? And how do we make it to wherever every American can truly see themselves in the game?' Interest in soccer has vastly increased in the U.S., with England's Premier League averaging 510,000 viewers per match window on NBC's networks last season and the European Champions League final drawing more than 2 million viewers in each of the past five years on CBS. However, CBS broadcast just 26 of 189 Champions League matches on TV in 2024-25 and streamed the rest. Will visa delays and border fears keep international fans away from the Club World Cup in the US?MLS drew about 12.2 million fans last year, second to 14.7 million in 2023-24 for the Premier League's 20 teams, but MLS has largely disappeared from broadcast TV since starting a 10-year contract with Apple TV+ in 2023. Apple spokesman Sam Citron said the company does not release viewer figures. In a fractured television landscape, different deals were negotiated by FIFA, UEFA, MLS, the NWSL, the USSF and the five major European leagues. 'You basically have over 2,800 game windows per season aired in the United States and so that requires distribution largely on streaming platforms like Paramount+ or ESPN+, but it's difficult for new fan adoption and it makes reach kind of challenging,' said Gerry Cardinale, managing partner of RedBird Capital Partners, which holds controlling interests in AC Milan and Toulouse and owns a non-controlling stake of Fenway Sports Group, parent of Liverpool. 'Kids today are getting weaned on Premier League football and Serie A football, and when you watch that as a product, it's hard for MLS to compete.' The 1994 World Cup, a 24-nation tournament, drew a record 3.58 million fans for 52 matches. Ticket prices ranged from $25-$75 for most first round games and $180-$475 for the final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. FIFA, which has about 800 people working at an office in Coral Gables, Florida, says it will announce information on general tickets in the third quarter. It wouldn't say whether prices will be fixed or variable. Hospitality packages are available on FIFA's website through On Location. For the eight matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, including the final on July 19, prices range from $25,800 to $73,200 per person. FIFA appears to be using variable pricing for this year's Club World Cup, played at 12 U.S. stadiums from June 14 to July 13, and some prices repeatedly have been slashed. Marriott Bonvoy, a U.S. Soccer Federation partner, has been offering free tickets to some of its elite members. FIFA's media relations staff would not make FIFA president Gianni Infantino available to discuss the tournament. Ahead of the 1994 World Cup, FIFA announced in May 1992 the draw would take place at Las Vegas on Dec. 18 or 19, 1993. FIFA has not revealed plans for this year's draw but appears to be planning for Las Vegas on Dec. 5. Regular ticket sales began in February 1993 for the U.S. soccer family and general first- and second-round sales started that June. Fans submitted lottery applications in October 1993 for games from the quarterfinals on. While not detailing ticketing plans for next year's tournament, FIFA is spreading it beyond the host cites and lists about 60 possible base camps for teams to use, paired with hotels. Some are fancy — The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia — and some more Spartan — the Courtyard by Marriott Mesa at Wrigleyville West in Arizona. Thousands of arrangements must be coordinated. Major League Baseball is drawing up its schedule to ensure that the four teams whose ballparks share parking lots with World Cup stadiums — in Arlington, Texas; Kansas City, Missouri; Philadelphia; and Seattle — won't play home games on the dates of tournament matches. Boris Gartner, CEO of La Liga North America, a joint venture of the Spanish soccer league and Relevent Sports, said the 2026 World Cup should be viewed as just another step in the sport's long-term growth in the United States. 'If you have a clear understanding of the market and the audience, a clear understanding of the value that these properties bring to media companies, and you mix content with a commercial strategy, with the right media distribution strategy, this is something that will continue to grow over the next two decades,' he said. 'If more people are watching the NWSL, more people are going to be interested in soccer that could potentially end up watching a Bundesliga game or La Liga game.'
The Hill
2 hours ago
- The Hill
Noem: LA a ‘city of criminals'
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem declared Los Angeles a 'city of criminals' while slamming Mayor Karen Bass (D) and California Gov. Gavin Newsom's (D) handling of ongoing protests against the Trump administration's immigration raids. 'Today, we had over 400 to 500 targets we were going after that were known members of gangs in L.A. that have been victimizing people for years, that Gavin Newsom has done absolutely nothing about, that Mayor Bass has done absolutely nothing about,' Noem said during a Monday night appearance on Fox News' 'Hannity.' 'And now she's [Bass] holding press conferences, talking about the fact that people have the right to peacefully protest and that they're a city of immigrants,' Noem said. 'Well, they're not a city of immigrants, they're a city of criminals because she has protected them for so many years,' the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) chief added. Noem's remarks come as President Trump has deployed another 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, increasing the total count to 4,000, according to Newsom. Trump has argued the deployment of National Guard troops is necessary to address violence as protesters clash with law enforcement while protesting ramped-up Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations that have taken place in recent days. The Pentagon has also deployed about 700 Marines to Los Angeles to protect federal buildings and officials. Trump's moves have been criticized by Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D), who sued the administration on Monday over the decision to send in the National Guard, deeming it an 'unprecedented power grab.' 'And so, we're coming in and doing what the president has said that he's going to do and he's going to allow people to live in a safe community again and we're going to use the authority that he has as president of the United States to conduct these operations,' Noem said Monday night. The DHS secretary said that 'the more that people' use violence against law enforcement, 'Boy, we're gonna hit them back and we're gonna hit them back harder than we ever have before.'
