Arrests Made in Kristi Noem's High-Profile Handbag Theft Case

Police arrested Mario Bustamante Leiva and Cristian Rodrigo Montecino-Sanzanaat in connection with the theft of Kristi Noem's designer handbag, which contained significant valuables and cash.

Two men were arrested recently in relation to the high-profile theft of a designer handbag belonging to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The incident occurred during Easter Sunday when Noem was dining with her family at a well-known restaurant in Washington, D.C.

The first suspect, 49-year-old Mario Bustamante Leiva, was taken into custody on Saturday. He faces multiple charges including robbery, aggravated identity theft, and wire fraud. According to a criminal complaint filed Monday, Bustamante Leiva is suspected of involvement in two additional robberies and reportedly spent the loot on gift cards and other purchases.

The following day, the U.S. Secret Service arrested 51-year-old Cristian Rodrigo Montecino-Sanzanaat in Miami. Authorities identified Montecino-Sanzanaat as an alleged accomplice connected to a series of thefts in Washington.

While dining at Capital Burger, Noem’s Gucci handbag was taken from under her seat. Bustamante Leiva allegedly appeared on security footage retrieving the bag, and later used one of Noem’s credit cards to pay for a meal at an Italian restaurant, racking up a $205.87 charge.

Noem, a former South Dakota governor, expressed her frustration on a social media platform, labeling Bustamante Leiva a "career criminal" who has been residing illegally in the U.S. The stolen bag contained $3,000 in cash, credit cards, Noem's Homeland Security badge, medication, and her driver's license.

While agents from the Secret Service, assigned to protect Noem, were present at the restaurant during the incident, they did not catch the theft in progress. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that Noem had withdrawn the cash to treat her family during their time in D.C.