On Sunday, Kristi Noem, the Trump administration’s Homeland Security Secretary, had her purse stolen at a restaurant in Washington, D.C. At the time her purse was stolen, it contained nearly $3,000, checks, her driver’s license, DHS access badge, and passport. The Secret Service is reviewing camera footage in an attempt to identify the white male who stole the purse. Noem’s Secret Service did not see the purse taken; Noem discovered that herself.
Kristi Noem was at Capital Burger
Reportedly, Noem was eating at a popular restaurant in downtown DC. While enjoying a meal at The Capital Burger, Noem placed her purse on the floor beside her feet. Noem was using her cell phone, so it was not inside her purse, but the thief did get her medication.
Secret Service Open Investigation
An investigation has been launched by the Secret Service to track down the individual who stole the purse. The restaurant has provided surveillance footage, and the Secret Service is attempting to trace some of the stolen items. The Secretary of Homeland Security is provided with 24/7 Secret Service protection. At the time of the incident, members of the Secret Service were stationed at the restaurant.
Kristi Noem had withdrawn money before going to the restaurant because her children and grandchildren were in town. She planned on using the cash to treat her family to dinner, do some other activities, and buy Easter gifts.
Another Woman’s Purse Stolen
Just three days before Kristi Noem’s purse was stolen, another woman eating at an eatery not far from where Kristi Noem ate had her purse taken in a similar manner. The woman was eating at a restaurant inside the Westin Hotel when her purse was stolen.
The man who stole Kristi Noem’s purse is described as a white male wearing dark clothes, a dark-colored baseball cap, and a white N95 mask. The white male entered The Capital Burger around 7:55 p.m. and sat not far from Noem’s table. He scooted closer to her and used his foot to slide her purse to him. The man picked up the purse and hid it in his jacket. He then walked out of the restaurant and down the street.
Two Thefts Similar
The other woman told NBC News that she, her husband, and son arrived in Washington late and decided to have dinner at their hotel. When they got the check around 9:20 p.m., she realized her purse was gone. Reportedly, the thief took her purse from the chair where she had hung it.
The woman says that after her purse was stolen, she received a call telling her that her health insurance card had been found at a store not far from the restaurant she ate at, and also near where Noem’s purse was stolen.
The thief in the earlier robbery was also a white male, wearing dark clothing, a dark baseball cap, and an N95 mask, according to the victim, who said she watched the hotel security video of the man stealing her purse. The woman said that after she heard about Noem’s purse being stolen, she almost called authorities because the crimes seemed so similar.
