Suspects Arrested for Allegedly Stealing DHS Sec. Kristi Noem’s Purse at D.C. Restaurant | Eater DC
"Located at 1005 7th Street NW across from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center since 2018, this casual counterpart to steakhouse sibling the Capital Grille is best known for its French onion–styled namesake burger ($23) and is part of the Orlando-based Darden restaurant group (which also includes LongHorn, Olive Garden, Seasons 52 and Ruth’s Chris). It was the scene of a high-profile purse-snatching while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem — nicknamed "ICE Barbie" for her showy deporting demonstrations on TV while flashing a luxe Rolex — was dining there on Easter Sunday. The Secret Service announced two Chilean nationals — one of whom is an alleged "serial offender" — were arrested over the weekend, and the suspects were reportedly "illegal migrants." D.C. Metro Police and the Secret Service took Mario Bustamante-Leiva into custody in connection to the theft and say he’s been charged with robbery in D.C. before; shortly after, Cristian Rodrigo Montecino-Sanzana was detained in Miami as his alleged accomplice, though charges have not yet been formally filed. The stolen black Gucci bag (retails for over $4,000) contained $3,000 in cash, a passport, apartment keys and a DHS access badge; per a statement to WUSA9, DHS says she brought the big stack of bills to allegedly buy both dinner and Easter presents for her family. Per a statement from investigators, Noem was not targeted based on her high-profile position, despite her Secret Service detail being present. Per NBC, a suspect in an N95 mask sat down next to the family’s table, slid the purse with his foot and walked out with it under his jacket — all in a matter of minutes. Law enforcement officials say the suspects are believed to be part of a larger East Coast robbery ring. The restaurant and its Orlando-based parent company have not released surveillance video of the incident or issued a public comment." - Tierney Plumb
