The booze-hound illegal migrant who snatched Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s Gucci purse brazenly drank for hours with her Amex card at an Italian eatery after pulling off the caper, according to shocking details released by the feds.
Mario Bustamante-Leiva, 49, was caught on camera blowing $205.87 on food and alcohol at Angolo Ristorante Italiano in Washington, DC, on April 20 just minutes after he slyly made off with her shoulder bag, charging documents from the US Attorney’s office of DC show.
Surveillance camera footage of Mario Bustamante-Leiva before he allegedly stole DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s purse. Obtained by the NY Post
Bustamante-Leiva seen near Noem’s purse. Obtained by the NY Post
Photos from the restaurant showing the purse get snatched. Obtained by the NY Post
Bustamante-Leiva seen with Noem’s credit card. Obtained by the NY Post
Mario Bustamante-Leiva seen in a newly released picture at a bar down the street from the alleged robbery in Washington DC. Obtained by the NY PostOther images released Monday showed him snatching Noem’s bag — which had $3,000 cash and the DHS honcho’s ID and passport — from under her feet at the Capital Burger around 8 p.m., where she was enjoying an Easter dinner with family, according to the docs.
Bustamante-Leiva stayed at the red-sauce joint until about midnight, charging documents said, before leaving and falling asleep outside at a table. He remained there until about 7:30 a.m., before wandering off, authorities say.
The was just the last of four heists he pulled off in eight days around the nation’s capital, according to authorities.
Mario Bustamante-Leiva was arrested and charged after allegedly swiping the Cabinet member’s purse. Metropolitan PoliceIn the other incidents – two on April 17, at a DC coffee shop then a Westin Hotel restaurant, and one at another restaurant on April 12 — Bustamante-Leiva demonstrated sticky-fingered prowess by slyly approaching his victims and slipping bags from their chairs, or using his legs to covertly inch their belongings closer to him, security footage showed.
In the April 12 theft he was careful to slip a jacket over his arm before approaching his victim, and with the help of an accomplice to shield him from view appeared to slip the bag from his victim and hide it under his coat before walking off.
The feds accused Bustamante-Leiva of using the ill-gotten gains from those jobs – again blowing other people’s cash to buy booze, including a bottle of Josh Cabernet Sauvignon at a DC supermarket.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks during a news conference to announce the re-launch of the VOICE office, Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement, with families of victims behind her, at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Washington. APOther purchases appeared to be gift cards worth hundreds of dollars and hotel rooms at Motel 6 and Quality Inn, prosecutors say.
At the Quality Inn on April 14, he got into a fight with staff after he was found drunk on the premises and refused to return to his room. He eventually checked out, but left behind a cellphone that investigators used as evidence.
In the alleged theft of Noem’s bag, Bustamante-Leiva appeared to pull on all the tricks he’d practiced in the preceding days.
He positioned himself in a seat near Noem at the restaurant, and drew her designer bag towards him with his leg, Once it was within reach he quickly snatched it, and hid it under his coat before leaving.
That heist was pulled off all while Noem was under the protection of the Secret Service, the documents say.
