Suspected Noem Purse Snatcher Arrested, Second Individual Sought

Authorities have arrested a Chilean national who is in the U.S. illegally in connection with the theft of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s purse from a Washington, D.C. restaurant. The suspect, described as an experienced thief, had previously been arrested in New York for a similar crime but was released due to sanctuary city laws before missing his court date. Law enforcement sources say a second individual, also in the country illegally, is being sought, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement is now involved in the case. Officials do not believe Noem was targeted because of her position, but rather because her purse was valuable. The incident has drawn attention to concerns over repeat offenses by individuals with unresolved immigration status and the broader issue of organized theft rings operating in D.C. The Secret Service and other authorities are investigating whether this crime is part of a larger pattern of robberies in the area.