A masked migrant who was arrested for stealing Gucci bags from Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem, which contains $3,000 in cash, told law enforcement sources that he was a Chilean citizen who was previously arrested under a similar scheme.
Mario Bustamante Riva, 49, of Santiago, was arrested Saturday when Norm, 53, who was with Easter at the Capital Burger in Washington, D.C., allegedly left in a gorgeous shoulder bag, sources told the Post.
Bustamante Riva, who is illegally in the US, is believed to be part of a large East Coast robbery organization, and law enforcement is still searching for another undocumented immigrant, his accomplice.
“Thank you to @secretservice @icegov and our law enforcement partner for finding and arresting a criminal who stole my bag on Easter Sunday while sharing a meal with his family at a Washington, DC restaurant.” Noem wrote on x.
“This individual is a career criminal who has been illegally in our country for years,” she added. “Unfortunately, so many families in this country have been victims of crime. That’s why President Trump works to keep America safe every day and drive these criminals out of our streets.”
US lawyer Ed Martin said it’s unlikely that Noem was targeted based on her famous position, adding that the suspect was probably drawn to an expensive Gucci bag.
“Frankly… it was a good looking wallet. This wasn’t an amateur. It was a person, a thief. He told NBC News.
Security footage was taken the moment when the suspect lifted his DHS Honcho bag with an N95 surgical mask, dark pants, a “fur-type” collar and a ball cap, about a mile from the White House, and was fitted with a signature burger for $23.
Bustamante-Leiva was arrested in London for five months in 2015 and was arrested with 28,000 worth of mobile phones, wallets and computers. According to a report from the Daily Mail at the time.
Martin said Bustamante Riva and his accomplices would never step into the country again as U.S. immigration and customs enforcement agencies are involved in the case.
“The direction of President Trump on us is to accuse these people here who are illegal, we will prosecute them and deport them if necessary.
“All I can tell you is that he won’t come back to American towns.”
