WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dakota News Now) – The man who was arrested on Saturday for stealing DHS Secretary Noem’s purse has been charged with Robbery, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Wire Fraud.
Mario Bustamante Leiva, 49, a Chilean national living in the U.S. illegally, was arrested on April 26, 2025, on charges of wire fraud, identity theft, and robbery related to three purse snatchings and unauthorized use of victim credit cards.
Bustamante Leiva appeared in Superior Court on Monday, April 28, on an unrelated fugitive warrant.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged an immigration detainer against Bustamente Leiva.
On April 12, 2025, a victim reported to the Metropolitan Police Department that her purse was stolen while dining at Nando’s on F Street, NW. Surveillance footage showed the suspect possibly working with another individual. Over $500 was charged later to the victim’s credit card without authorization.
On April 17, 2025, at the Westin Hotel on the 900 block of 9th Street, NW, a victim reported her purse was stolen from the back of her chair during dinner. Unauthorized transactions over $400 were made on her credit card.
On April 20, 2025, a woman dining at Capital Burger in NW reported her purse missing. Law enforcement found video of the suspect, who made over $200 in unauthorized transactions with her credit card, along with cash and personal documents.
“Thanks to the efforts of the Secret Service working in concert with the Metropolitan Police Department, this alleged thief was quickly identified, arrested, and, with the deft management of the Assistant US Attorney, charged,” said U.S. Attorney Martin.
“The subsequent arrests in this case are a testament to the extraordinary investigative work by the analysts and special agents of the Washington Field Office, the USSS Uniformed Division, and the Metropolitan Police Department. We also received valuable assistance from our partners at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” said U.S. Secret Service Washington Field Office Special Agent in Charge, Matt McCool.
During the course of the investigation, law enforcement learned that on April 19, 2025, Bustamante Leiva reported to Montgomery County Police that his bag was stolen while he slept on a bench.
On April 26, 2025, law enforcement from the U.S. Secret Service and MPD went to where Bustamante Leiva was staying and placed him under arrest.
Law enforcement then interviewed Bustamante Leiva in connection with the purse thefts.
This case is being investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and MPD, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Helfand.
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