Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is “very confident” that the suspects arrested in connection with her purse robbery were in the country illegally.
“From the information that has been shared with me so far in the investigation, and I understand that they’ve been talking to them and getting information, these are career criminals,” Noem told Tony Dokoupil of CBS Mornings Tuesday.
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At least two suspects have been arrested following the robbery, which saw Noem lose her high-value Gucci bag at a restaurant in Washington, D.C.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem tells @tonydokoupil that she’s “very confident” the people arrested in connection with the theft of her purse are undocumented migrants.
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) April 29, 2025
“From the information that has been shared with me so far in the investigation,” Noem said, “these are career… pic.twitter.com/qpcfEDn0KF
The theft is suspected to be part of a crime ring targeting the city’s Penn Quarter.
The first suspect, arrested Saturday, is believed to be in the country illegally, according to Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Ed Martin. The second suspect, arrested in Miami, is being held on an immigration detainer.
“They have perpetuated crimes against many people in this country for many years illegally,” according to Noem.
The crime against her could have happened to any American family, she argued.
SECOND SUSPECT ARRESTED IN DC ROBBERY OF KRISTI NOEM
“We were with a big family and four kids under the age of four,” she said. “I had it right between my feet, but he was professional in how he took it, and, you know, we’re just glad that now that he’s in custody, because of so many other crimes he’s committed.”
“This is what Americans shouldn’t have to live with … So, the more that we can bring these people in and have them face consequences and get them out of our country, the safer America will be.”