Noem’s bag was stolen by a masked man Sunday night while she was having dinner with her family in Washington, D.C.
The suspect who was arrested Saturday in the theft of Secretary Kristi Noem’s purse is in the country illegally, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia said in an interview with NBC News.
Ed Martin said a second suspect who also is in the country illegally is being sought by law enforcement.
It is not believed the suspect targeted Noem because she was the Department of Homeland Security secretary, Martin said.
“There is no indication it was because of that. It was frankly, it was a nice looking purse,” Martin said, in a recorded telephone interview.
In the call, Martin said Immigration and Customs Enforcement is now involved.
“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,” Martin said, adding, “What I can tell you is he won’t be back on the streets in America.”
The person who took the bag knew what he was doing, Martin said.
“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.”
No further information about the man’s identity was available.
A D.C. Metropolitan Police spokesperson declined to comment.
As DHS secretary, Noem receives Secret Service protection.
When asked for comment from the U.S. Secret Service agent that was providing protection for Noem, the agency's spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said, “For the safety of our agents and officers, we are not in a position to confirm or comment at this time. Should criminal charges be filed, the Department of Homeland Security will provide public information in accordance with established procedures.”
Noem’s purse was stolen when a masked man walked into Capital Burger, a restaurant in D.C., on Sunday night. The man passed two plainclothes Secret Service officers who were sitting at the bar on his way to her table, which was upstairs.
He then sat down next to Noem’s table, where she was eating with her family, and put his foot on her purse to drag it towards himself, according to two sources familiar who viewed the surveillance footage. Then, he swiftly picked it up, tucked it under his jacket and walked out, passing the protection agents on his way out.
Noem’s purse contained $3,000 cash, as well as her DHS access badge, her passport, various credit cards, blank checks, a set of keys and her driver’s license.
The investigation is being handled by the Metropolitan Police and the U.S. Secret Service.
NBC News asked Noem about the situation on Monday at the White House Easter Egg Roll. She said she couldn’t provide a comment or details.
“I don’t think I can comment on it yet,” she said. “It’s not resolved yet.”
