Serial thief who stole Kristi Noem's handbag sentenced to three years in prison
The former US Secretary of Homeland Security had her handbag - with $3,000 (£2,260) in cash inside - stolen at a restaurant last year.
Coverage by Political Leaning
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Notable Quotes
"Bustamante Leiva came to Washington illegally to prey on citizens of the district."
— Jeanine Pirro , Politician
"Bustamante Leiva is a career criminal who has been in our country illegally for years."
— Kristi Noem , Politician
"Bustamante Leiva came to Washington illegally to prey on citizens of the District. He methodically targeted women at restaurants, stealing their purses, and monetizing the stolen cards within minutes."
— Jeanine Pirro , Politician
""Bustamante Leiva came to Washington illegally to prey on citizens of the district. His pattern of theft ends here.""
— Jeanine Pirro , Politician
Key People
Cristian Montecino-Sanzana is a co-defendant involved in thefts in Washington, DC.
Former president of the United States known for his aggressive economic policies.
Jeanine Pirro is the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia.
Kristi Noem is the former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.
Mario Bustamante Leiva is a thief who stole Kristi Noem's handbag.
Tags
All Coverage
The former US Secretary of Homeland Security had her handbag - with $3,000 (£2,260) in cash inside - stolen at a restaurant last year.
A United States district court has sentenced a Chilean man to three years in prison for stealing a handbag last year belonging to then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
A man who stole a purse from then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem while she dined at a restaurant under the protection of Secret Service agents has been sentenced to three years in prison for a string of thefts in the nation’s capital.
Mario Bustamante Leiva, a 50-year-old Chilean national, was sentenced to three years in prison for a series of thefts in Washington, D.C., including the high-profile theft of former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's Gucci handbag in April 2025.
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