New Info Surfaces on Illegal Who Targeted Kristi Noem

The illegal alien accused of stealing Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s purse in Washington, D.C., was reportedly released by authorities in New York City just weeks earlier following a separate theft incident, according to recently released reports.

The suspect, identified as Mario Bustamante-Leiva, a Chilean national, is in the United States illegally.

According to law enforcement records, Bustamante-Leiva had previously been arrested in March in New York City for allegedly stealing a fanny pack from a store in Times Square. He reportedly charged nearly $1,200 to the victim’s credit cards in under 20 minutes.

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Although he was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny—a felony—he was released after being issued a desk appearance ticket. The New York Police Department’s warrant squad was later searching for him after he failed to appear in court.

Due to New York City’s sanctuary city policies, the NYPD was not permitted to notify federal immigration officials of Bustamante-Leiva’s illegal status.

BREAKING: Illegal immigrant and career criminal Mario Bustamante-Leiva, 49, of Chile, has been identified as the suspect accused of purse snatching @Sec_Noem over Easter weekend , sources tell The Post.

Bustamante-Leiva is believed to be part of a large east coast robbery… pic.twitter.com/gqMjCYgIWw

— Jennie Taer 🎗️ (@JennieSTaer) April 27, 2025

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This prevented Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from taking custody of him, despite his criminal history and lack of legal immigration status.

“Years ago, people would be held on ICE detainers if somebody was known to be in the country unlawfully and committed crimes,” former Manhattan prosecutor Mark Bederow told the New York Post.

“That would be a no-brainer hold … these kinds of crimes would not be committed if the policies were stronger. That’s just the reality.”

Bustamante-Leiva has a criminal record that predates the incidents in New York and Washington. In 2021, he was arrested in Utah for shoplifting.

Prior to that, in 2015, he made international headlines when he was arrested in London for a months-long theft spree. At the time, he was charged with stealing approximately $28,000 worth of wallets, mobile phones, and electronic devices.

On Easter Sunday 2025, Bustamante-Leiva allegedly stole Secretary Noem’s Gucci handbag while she was dining at a restaurant in Washington, D.C.

According to reports, the stolen purse contained approximately $3,000 in cash, her passport, a DHS access card, a makeup bag, an apartment key, and prescription medication.

At the time of the theft in D.C., NYPD authorities were still attempting to locate him due to his failure to appear in court following the March incident in New York.

It remains unclear why Bustamante-Leiva was not flagged or detained prior to committing the theft targeting a high-ranking federal official.

The case is raising renewed concerns about the consequences of sanctuary city policies, which prohibit local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities—even when suspects are repeat offenders with criminal records.

Federal officials have not confirmed whether additional charges or immigration enforcement actions are being pursued following the D.C. incident involving Secretary Noem. The Department of Homeland Security has not issued a public statement on the matter.

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