Man Charged After Trump Official's Purse Nabbed At DC Restaurant

WASHINGTON, DC — Federal authorities have charged a man they say stole Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's purse while she and her family dined at a Washington, D.C. restaurant on Easter Sunday.

Video captured Mario Bustamante Leiva, 49, taking Noem's purse while she ate at Capital Burger in Washington, D.C., under the protection of Secret Service agents, investigators said. He also got away with Noem’s driver’s license, medication, apartment keys, passport, makeup bag and blank checks.

He later used Noem's stolen credit cards to buy over $200 in food and alcohol at a different restaurant, according to a Secret Service agent's affidavit.

Police and federal agents arrested Bustamante Leiva on Saturday. While the agent's affidavit doesn't name Noem, the information in court records matches details of the theft.

In a statement released by the Secret Service, agents didn't identify Bustamante Leiva but called the suspect "a serial offender."

Bustamante Leiva is also suspected of stealing purses from two other people at other restaurants earlier this month, the affidavit says. He used a credit card stolen from one of the women to buy wine at a grocery store, the agent wrote.

Bustamante Leiva appeared to be “acting in concert” with a second suspect during one of the thefts, according to the affidavit.

Investigators said they identified Bustamante Leiva as a suspect in the thefts after he used a stolen gift card to make a purchase at a motel. He was shown a photo of Noem and told investigators that he didn't know who she was, according to the affidavit. Investigators said they recovered Noem's purse and wallet from his motel room.

In a prepared statement, Noem referred to the suspect as a “a career criminal who has been in our country illegally for years.” Authorities said there was no evidence Noem was targeted because of her position.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged an immigration detainer against Bustamante Leiva, a native of Chile, according to U.S. Attorney Ed Martin Jr.’s office.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.