Serial Thief Sentenced for Stealing Kristi Noem's Handbag

Mario Bustamante Leiva, a 50-year-old Chilean national residing in the U.S. illegally, was sentenced to three years in prison for stealing a handbag from former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. According to multiple reports, the theft occurred at Capital Burger restaurant in Washington DC while Noem dined with her family under Secret Service protection.

The stolen Gucci bag contained approximately $3,000 in cash and personal items including a driver's license, passport, and DHS access badge. Bustamante Leiva was identified as the suspect through surveillance footage showing him repeatedly looking at Noem's purse before snatching it. He used credit cards from the stolen purses to make unauthorized purchases within minutes of the theft.

Bustamante Leiva pleaded guilty in November 2025 to three counts of wire fraud and one count of first-degree theft. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated that Bustamante Leiva 'came to Washington illegally to prey on citizens' and targeted women at restaurants throughout the District of Columbia.

The case raised concerns about the efficacy of Noem's Secret Service protection, as agents were present during the theft. The Trump administration used this incident to justify its deportation policies and military-led crackdown on crime in Washington DC. Bustamante Leiva will face deportation after serving his prison sentence.

A co-defendant, Cristian Montecino-Sanzana, was sentenced to 13 months in prison for participating in one of the thefts. The case highlighted a string of similar incidents where women had their purses stolen at Washington DC restaurants.