• Two suspects, including a repeated offender, arrested for stealing Kristi Noem's purse.
• Noem's purse contained $3,000, a DHS badge, and personal identification.
• Secret Service confirms no indication that Noem was targeted due to her position.
• Investigation revealed potential credit card fraud linked to the theft.
• Second suspect apprehended in Miami; both connected to a pattern of robberies in D.C.

Authorities have arrested two men in connection with the theft of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's purse, which occurred while she was dining with her family in a Washington, D.C. restaurant on Easter Sunday. The first suspect arrested is 49-year-old Mario Bustamante Leiva, who was taken into custody on Saturday and has been charged with robbery and aggravated identity theft. The second suspect, Cristian Rodrigo Montecino-Sanzanaat, was apprehended in Miami and described as a co-conspirator involved in a string of robberies in the area, according to BBC, The Hill, and New York Times.

Noem reported that her handbag was stolen while it was resting by her feet and contained approximately $3,000 in cash, along with her Department of Homeland Security badge, passport, and other sensitive items. Following the theft, Bustamante Leiva allegedly used one of Noem’s credit cards at an Italian restaurant, which tied him to prior robberies, as confirmed by law enforcement sources to CBS News and The Hill.

Federal investigators, including the Secret Service and local police, indicated that the theft did not appear to target Noem due to her governmental position. "This individual is a career criminal who has been in our country illegally for years," Noem stated, highlighting ongoing concerns about crime, particularly with repeat offenders, according to ABC News and HuffPost.

The investigation into the theft revealed a potential pattern of fraud linked to the suspect, prompting extensive searches across law enforcement networks. Investigators have noted that Bustamante Leiva has a history of theft-related charges, which raises concerns regarding public safety in dining establishments, as reported by The Hill and New York Times.