Second suspect arrested in connection to DHS Secretary Noem's purse snatching
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A second arrest has been made in connection to the theft of Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem’s purse while she was out having lunch on Easter with her family.

Authorities announced that they apprehended the accomplice believed to be tied to the series of thefts in D.C. in Miami on Sunday.

“The individual is believed to be a co-conspirator in those incidents with the primary defendant who is accused of committing a robbery against Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem,” a spokesperson for the Secret Service shared in a statement.

“Public safety is strongest when built on trust and collaboration,” Special Agent in Charge Rafael Barros said. “We are grateful to the Miami Beach Police Department for their swift and outstanding assistance in today’s apprehension. After receiving information from Washington, Miami Beach Police officers quickly implemented targeted patrols and located the defendant, who was taken into custody without incident.”

kristi noem with authorities

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem watches during a vehicle scan during a tour of the San Ysidro Port of Entry, in San Diego, U.S., March 16, 2025. (Alex Brandon/Pool via REUTERS)

Noem was with her family on Easter Sunday at The Capital Burger in Washington, D.C., when the suspect nabbed her luxury bag containing the cash as well as her driver’s license, passport, medication, makeup bag, blank checks, DHS badge, apartment keys and a Louis Vuitton Clemence wallet.

The bag was on the floor at her table when it was stolen, according to a complaint filed with local police.

Security footage captured a white man in a N95 surgical mask, dark pants and a baseball cap grabbing the bag before leaving the restaurant.

“It was kind of shocking, actually, because it was sitting right by my feet. I actually felt my purse, he hooked it with his foot and drug it a few steps away and dropped a coat over it and took it,” Noem told podcaster Vince Coglianese on the “VINCE Show.”

“I felt it, but I thought it was my grandkids kicking me in the legs. But it was very professionally done, and it tells that this happens all the time to people and that they live in communities where this is a danger and it reaffirms why I am here,” she added. 

Fox News Digital’s Landon Mion and Stephen Sorace contributed to this report. 

Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com

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