A suspect has been arrested in connection with the theft of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s purse while she was dining out on Easter Sunday, and officials say he’s in the country illegally.
Noem lost $3,000 in cash, her keys, driver’s license, passport, and Homeland Security badge a week ago on April 20.
“This individual is a career criminal who has been in our country illegally for years,” Noem told NTD in an emailed statement. “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.”
Secret Service Washington field office special agent in charge Matt McCool said an investigation by the Secret Service and the Metropolitan Police Department led to a suspect being taken into custody on April 26 in Washington. Charges are yet to be filed.
The name of the suspect who allegedly stole Noem’s purse has yet to be disclosed. McCool called the suspect a “serial offender” who likely did not know about Noem’s position at the time of the crime.
“Thank you to Secret Service and ICE and our law enforcement partners for finding and arresting the criminal who stole my bag on Easter Sunday as I shared a meal with my family at a Washington, D.C., restaurant,” Noem added in the statement.
The cash in Noem’s purse was meant to pay for her children and grandchildren’s Easter gifts, dinner, and other activities, according to Homeland Security.
McCool added that there is also evidence of potential device and credit card fraud.
The Metropolitan Police Department obtained video evidence that shows the suspect is likely linked to two other incidents of purse snatching in Washington restaurants during the month of April, and the suspect was charged for those thefts.
The Secret Service is expected to present its findings to federal court upon completing the investigation into Noem’s purse theft.
U.S. Attorney Ed Martin’s office did not respond to requests for comment by press time.
