Police in Washington DC have arrested an illegal immigrant in connection with the theft of homeland security secretary Kristi Noem’s hand bag.Â
Noem, 53, was dining with her family at The Capital Burger in downtown DC when a man in a medical mask managed to swipe her Gucci bag last Sunday.
It contained roughly $3,000 in cash, her makeup bag, driver’s license, passport, medication, apartment keys, DHS access badge and some blank checks.
Sources close to the investigation confirmed to DailyMail.com on Saturday night that one suspect has been caught, while another is still on the loose. The identities of the suspects were not immediately made available.
NBC News reported that the suspect apprehended had been in the country illegally.Â
In a statement, the Secret Service said: ‘For the safety of our agents and officers, we are not in a position to confirm or comment at this time.Â
‘Should criminal charges be filed, the Department of Homeland Security will provide public information in accordance with established procedures.’
Reports indicate that a man sat alone at a table next to the secretary and was able to snatch her purse while no one was looking.
A source that spoke with CNN said that surveillance footage shows the criminal sit down at an empty table next to Noem.Â
Noem attends a meeting with El Salvador president in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 14 April 2025
DHS Sec. Kristi Noem had her bag stolen from her table as she dined with her family at The Capital Burger in downtown Washington Sunday evening
He then uses his left foot to drag and slide the bag into his possession and away from Noem.
The suspect then takes a look around the restaurant and then picks up the big and puts hit under his jacket as he bolts.
Noem had no idea anything had even happened until the rose from her table to see the purse was gone.
During an appearance on The Vince Show, a podcast hosted by Vince Coglianese this week, Noem recounted the incident, saying: ‘He hooked it with his foot, dragged it a few steps away, dropped a coat over it, and took it.’
‘I think I was a busy grandma with four grandkids under the age of 4, and I was taking care of them and feeding them food and enjoying my family, yeah, but certainly had my purse even touching my feet.’
The brazen theft is significant when considering that Noem has an around the clock Secret Service detail watching her every move.Â
Ronald Layton, a 26-year veteran of the Secret Service, told The New York Times: ‘It’s embarrassing as hell.’
Layton added that he wasn’t entirely shocked by the theft, saying it was common for the protectee to sometimes want more privacy when sharing moments with family.
Kristi Noem, pictured with her daughter and grandchildren
Noem’s bag contained tons of personal items including her house keys, passport, and DHS access badge. She is pictured above carrying a purse in 2022
He added: ‘They may not want to see agents hovering over their shoulder, especially in restaurants.’Â
She confirmed during the same interview that her purse has yet to be returned, which means her passport, DHS security badge and more are still unaccounted for.
The secretary also disclosed that she believes the criminal is a professional.
‘It was professionally done,’ Noem said on the show. ‘It tells me that this happens all the time to people, and that they live in communities where this is a danger,’ she added.
Earlier this week DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told DailyMail.com in a statement that the cash in the purse was for the secretary’s family. Noem was going to give it out as presents for Easter, she said.
‘Her entire family was in town including her children and grandchildren – she was using the cash withdrawal to treat her family to dinner, activities, and Easter gifts,’ McLaughlin shared.
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, whose panel oversees DHS, told DailyMail.com this week he is working with Secret Service to investigate the crime.
‘The Committee is in contact with the Secret Service concerning this brazen theft of Secretary Noem’s belongings this week, and we will continue conducting oversight of the agency to ensure any security lapses are properly and swiftly addressed,’ he shared.
‘The security of our nation’s leaders is a vital part of DHS’ mission, and it must remain a top priority,’ he continued.
