A bag belonging to Kristi Noem, the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary, was stolen on Sunday night while she was dining with family in a burger restaurant in Washington, D.C. The incident occurred when a man wearing a face mask approached her table and discreetly took her purse, which contained a significant amount of cash and an ID card that grants access to secure government buildings.
According to reports, Noem was at the restaurant with her children and grandchildren, celebrating their time together. She had withdrawn $3,000 in cash to treat her family to dinner and buy Easter gifts. The theft took place just before 8 PM when the man, who was later identified as a suspect, moved his chair closer to Noem’s and used his foot to slide the purse toward him.
Surveillance footage captured the moment, showing the man quickly hiding the purse under his jacket before leaving the restaurant. Notably, two members of the U.S. Secret Service were present in the restaurant at the time, positioned between Noem and the exit. However, the restaurant was not very busy, which may have made it easier for the thief to act unnoticed.
The purse contained not only the cash but also credit cards, blank checks, her passport, driver’s license, and a set of keys. It remains unclear if Noem was specifically targeted in this theft. Investigators are looking into whether the thief was aware of her identity.
When asked about the incident, Noem refrained from commenting further, stating that the situation is still unresolved. She acknowledged that the Secret Service is aware of the theft but mentioned she has not yet spoken to them about the details.
This incident raises concerns about security and the safety of public figures, especially in light of the sensitive nature of the items stolen. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to identify the suspect.