Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem stated she’s “very confident” that the 2 folks arrested in reference to the theft of her purse are within the nation illegally.
Noem’s purse was stolen April 20 when she was at a restaurant in Washington, D.C., along with her household. She stated the bag was sitting between her toes when it was taken.
Noem stated she doesn’t imagine she was focused and it was only a coincidence that her purse was taken.
“But he was professional in how he took it,” she stated. “So, you know, this is what Americans shouldn’t have to live with. It’s not about me and it’s not about my family, as much as it is about, you know, that people live in communities that have been going through this for many, many years. So the more that we can bring these people in and have them face consequences and get them out of our country, the safer America will be.”
Mario Bustamante Leiva, 49, was arrested in Washington, D.C., on Saturday and has been charged with wire fraud, identification theft and theft in reference to three purse snatchings this month, the Division of Justice stated Monday. The division alleged Leiva, a Chilean nationwide, was within the U.S. illegally.
The Secret Service confirmed a second suspect, Cristian Rodrigo Montecino-Sanzana, 51, was arrested at a Walgreens in South Seaside. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged immigration detainers for each suspects.
Neither suspect had an legal professional listed within the D.C. federal court docket database.
The Justice Division alleged the suspects charged greater than $200 to Noem’s bank card.
Watch extra of Tony Dokoupil’s interview with Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem on Wednesday on “CBS Mornings.”
Nicole Sganga
contributed to this report.
Extra from CBS Information
Tony Dokoupil
