30-04-2025
Documents reveal details on theft of Noem's purse
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A suspect has been charged in the theft of Secretary Kristi Noem's purse from a Washington, D.C. over Easter.
The identified suspect is a Chilean National who authorities say is in the U.S. illegally. Mario Bustamante Leiva, 49, is charged with wire fraud, identity theft and robbery, according to court documents about the case.
Trump's view differs with Native American Day in SD
The Secret Service was with the Noem on the day of the crime and led the investigation which was classified as 'Robbery Stealth.'
Investigators used surveillance video to track Bustamante Leiva as he made his way through Washington, D.C. The man – often seen in a medical mask – is accused of three robberies between April 12 and April 20. Noem was listed as the third victim.
Court documents say he would often carry a coat in his arms and use it to conceal the stolen items. The first victim had her purse on the back of her chair, he walks behind her and then her purse was gone. Surveillance from the second crime shows a man believed to be Bustamante Leiva standing behind seated customers. Investigators say he reached into a bag and grabbed what appeared to be a wallet
On Easter Sunday, Noem brought her husband, children and grandchildren to The Capital Burger restaurant. Court documents say Bustamante Leiva sat in the seat closest to the Noem and her family.
'We were with a big family and 4 kids under the age of 4 and I had it right between my feet,' said Noem in an interview with CBS.
Court documents say Bustamante Leiva eventually used his left leg to slide the purse towards him. In images released by investigators, the yellow circle on the left shows Noem's handbag under her chair. In a circle on the right of the image, the purse is no longer there. The purse contained Noem's driver's license, passport, DHS access badge and $3,000 in cash.
'He was professional in how he took it,' Noem said in an interview with CBS. 'And you know we are just glad that now that he's in custody because of so many other crimes he's committed.'
After leaving the restaurant, authorities believe Bustamante Leiva got rid of Noem's driver's license and took a bus to an Italian restaurant. Court documents say he sat at the bar for hours with Noem's purse and wallet beside him. Investigators believe he used Noem's American Express card – circled in yellow in a photo – to buy food and alcohol totaling $205.87
Court documents say Bustamante Leiva used stolen credit cards to purchase gift cards, which he then used to rent hotel rooms. That's how authorities were able to track him down along with an accomplice. He told investigators he did not know that his third victim was the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
