Man who swiped DHS Sec Kristi Noem's handbag is illegal immigrant, professional thief: report

The man who stole Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s Gucci handbag, which contained $3,000 in cash and other personal items, is an illegal immigrant and professional thief. 

The theft took place when Noem was dining at The Capital Burger in Washington, DC, with her family for an Easter outing. A masked suspect stole her handbag, which held her driver’s license, passport, DHS badge, apartment keys, and other valuables. The suspect was ultimately apprehended by the DC Metro Police and the Secret Service.

According to a report by the New York Post, the man is believed to be part of an East Coast robbery crew and is expected to appear in court next week. Law enforcement officials are still searching for his accomplice, who is also reportedly an illegal immigrant.

Despite Noem’s high-profile position, DC US Attorney Ed Martin stated there is "no indication" that she was specifically targeted because of her role.

“It was frankly, it was a nice looking purse. This was not an amateur. This was a person, a thief, that knew how to do this. You could see how he scouted the room out,” Martin told NBC News.

The handbag, valued at $4,400, had been placed on the ground next to Noem’s table when it was stolen. Inside was also a Louis Vuitton Clemence Purse valued at $600. Security footage showed the suspect as a white man wearing an N95 mask, dark pants, a "fur-type" collar, and a ball cap.

“It was kind of shocking, actually, because it was sitting right by my feet. I actually felt my purse — he hooked with his foot and [dragged] it a few steps away and dropped a coat over it and took it,” Noem explained during an interview with podcaster Vince Coglianese.

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

Martin told NBC that Immigration and Customs Enforcement is now involved and that the alleged thieves will be deported.

“President Trump’s direction to us is we charge these folks that are here illegally and we prosecute them, as well as deport them when need be, you know, as soon as that can happen,” he said.