Suspect arrested in theft of Noem's purse at DC restaurant
Share and Follow


A suspect was arrested in the theft last weekend of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem’s purse at a restaurant in downtown Washington, D.C, law enforcement officials said Sunday.

The purse included some major belongings, including $3,000 in cash, Noem’s DHS access badge, her passport, her driver’s license, blank checks and her keys. The theft occurred as Noem was celebrating Easter with her family.

“Thank you to Secret Service and ICE and our law enforcement partners for finding and arresting the criminal who stole my bag on Easter Sunday as I shared a meal with my family at a Washington DC restaurant,” Noem said Sunday in a statement, provided to The Hill through a spokesperson.

Law enforcement officials did not identify the suspect by name but accused the individual of being a repeat offender who had immigrated to the United States illegally some years ago.

“This individual is a career criminal who has been in our country illegally for years,” Noem continued in the statement.

“Unfortunately, so many families in this country have been made victims by crime, and that’s why President Trump is working every single day to make America safe and get these criminal aliens off of our streets,” she said.

U.S. Secret Service Washington Field Office Special Agent in Charge Matt McCool said in a statement that the individual “was taken into custody without incident” in D.C., following “an intensive investigation” conducted in coordination with local and federal law enforcement agencies.

McCool called the defendant “a serial offender” and said there was no indication Noem was targeted because of her status as DHS secretary.

“We have also determined that this incident had no protective nexus to Secretary Noem or her role as Secretary of Homeland Security. The investigation revealed alleged criminal activity, including potential device and credit card fraud,” McCool added.

The Hill has reached out to the Metropolitan Police Department for comment.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
My depression is getting in the way of my hygiene

Struggling with Hygiene? How Depression Could Be the Hidden Cause

DEAR ABBY: As someone who has been divorced for years and is…
Viral ‘bananas and rice’ Somali woman arrested for allegedly participating in Minneapolis riot

Somali Woman Known for Viral ‘Bananas and Rice’ Video Arrested in Connection with Minneapolis Unrest

A Somali American woman, who gained internet fame for likening her identity…
Lily Allen and Dakota Johnson attend the Valentino show during PFW

Star-Studded Valentino Show at PFW: Lily Allen and Dakota Johnson Steal the Spotlight

Lily Allen made a striking appearance alongside Dakota Johnson at the Valentino…
Omar approached at town hall and sprayed with unknown substance

Omar Targeted with Unknown Substance at Town Hall Meeting

During a town hall meeting in her district on Tuesday, Representative Ilhan…
Why Did Jude Cudjoe Leave 'Hijack'? Creator Explains Why 'Hijack' Killed Off Kai

Creator Reveals Reasons Behind Jude Cudjoe’s Departure and Character Kai’s Exit from ‘Hijack

Since the exhilarating return of Apple TV’s thriller Hijack for its much-anticipated…
Ilhan Omar attack theories emerge as Trump fuels vicious fraud claim

Trump’s Baseless Fraud Claims Spark New Wave of Ilhan Omar Conspiracy Theories

Ilhan Omar is facing accusations of orchestrating her own assault after former…
Man drowns at William Sheffield Park, Jacksonville police investigating

Tragic Drowning at William Sheffield Park Spurs Jacksonville Police Investigation

A young man in his early 20s has tragically passed away after…
Nitrates found in tap water and processed meats linked to dementia

New Study Links Nitrates in Tap Water and Processed Meats to Increased Dementia Risk

Recent research has established a troubling connection between nitrates, commonly found in…