(Washington, D.C.) — More details are being revealed about the theft of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s purse at a D.C. restaurant on Easter Sunday. Mario Bustamante Leiva is already facing several charges, including robbery, wire fraud and identity theft in connection to three separate purse snatchings. Those happened day apart around the D.C. area.
Federal authorities say the 49-year-old is a Chilean national who’s been living in the U.S. illegally. ICE has lodged an immigration detainer against him. According to authorities, an accomplice was arrested in Miami Beach, identified as Christian Sanzana, who had a fake California ID and an immigration hold. Noem’s bag had her wallet, driver’s license, apartment keys, passport, department security badge and about three thousand dollars in cash. Bustamante Leiva told investigators he did not know that his third victim was the Secretary of Homeland Security.
