Two arrested in reference to theft of Secretary Kristi Noem's bag

[ad_1] Authorities arrested two males in reference to the theft of a designer purse belonging to US Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem.

Noem's bag was stolen on Easter Sunday whereas she was eating in a preferred Washington DC restaurant.

On Saturday, police arrested 49-year-old Mario Bustamante Leiva.

And on Sunday the US Secret Service stated it apprehended an alleged co-conspirator in Miami. CBS Information, the BBC's US information associate, named the suspect as 51-year-old Cristian Rodrigo Montecino-Sanzanaat.

Bustamante Leiva was charged with theft, aggravated identification theft and wire fraud.

A felony grievance filed Monday alleged that he was concerned in two different robberies, and spent the proceeds on reward playing cards, lodge rooms and different purchases.

Noem, the previous governor of South Dakota, was consuming on the widespread Capital Burger restaurant along with her Gucci purse sitting by her toes beneath her seat.

After he allegedly was noticed on safety video taking the bag, Bustamante Leiva bought on a bus and was seen later that night at an Italian restaurant. He's accused of spending $205.87 (£153.21) on meals and drinks, paying with one among Noem's bank cards.

Montecino-Sanzanaat was arrested in a Miami drug retailer, authorities stated, and Secret Service officers stated he was related to "a sample of robberies and thefts" in Washington.

Legal professionals for the suspects couldn't be instantly recognized. In 2015, Bustamante Leiva, a Chilean citizen, was jailed for 3 years by a courtroom in London after a string of thefts from sandwich retailers, bars and pubs.

In a publish on X, Noem stated the suspect "is a profession felony who has been in our nation illegally for years."

Noem had $3,000 (£2,330) in money, together with bank cards, her Homeland Safety badge, remedy and her driving licence in her bag.

A Division of Homeland Safety spokesperson stated Noem had withdrawn the money to deal with her youngsters and grandchildren to dinner, actions and vacation items.

Like different cupboard officers, Noem receives a Secret Service safety element. Brokers had been within the restaurant on the time however didn't instantly detect the theft.