Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

mahatmakanejeeves

(64,455 posts)
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 05:43 AM 23 hrs ago

Arrest made in the theft of Kristi Noem's purse and thousands in cash, source says

Source: CNN

Arrest made in the theft of Kristi Noem's purse and thousands in cash, source says

By Josh Campbell, Kit Maher and John Miller, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 2:12 AM EDT, Sun April 27, 2025


Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on March 27, 2025 in Bogota, Colombia. (Photo by Alex Brandon-Pool/Getty Images) Alex Brandon/Pool/Getty Images/File

(CNN) -- An arrest has been made in the investigation of the theft of a high-end Gucci bag belonging to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation tells CNN. ... One person is in custody and multiple additional arrests are expected in a theft ring recently targeting Washington, DC's, Penn Quarter area, the source said.

Authorities have not yet released specific details about the man's identity, but the arrest came after the US Secret Service launched an investigation to find the perpetrator who stole her bag as she ate dinner with her family on Easter Sunday.

{snip}

As CNN previously reported, surveillance footage of the incident at The Capital Burger restaurant in Washington, DC, showed the suspect purposefully moving close to Noem as he zeroed in on her Gucci bag near her feet, a second law enforcement source said. … The thief, dressed in dark clothing, sat down at an empty table next to Noem with his back facing her and used his left foot to slide the bag away, the source said. He surveyed the restaurant before eventually picking up the bag, covering it with his jacket and leaving. … Only when Noem got up from the table did she realize her bag was missing, the source said.

Items inside the bag included a Louis Vuitton Clemence wallet, Noem’s driver’s license, medication, apartment keys, passport, DHS access badge, makeup bag, blank checks, and about $3,000 in cash, multiple sources said.

{snip}

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/26/politics/kristi-noem-bag-thief-arrested/index.html



Why does Kristi Noem get Secret Service protection?
69 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Arrest made in the theft of Kristi Noem's purse and thousands in cash, source says (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves 23 hrs ago OP
If she can't protect herself NJCher 22 hrs ago #1
Don't you find it odd that she ate Easter dinner at that rather dumpy restaurant? SheltieLover 22 hrs ago #2
For some reason, she didn't ask for a Doggie Bag. Kid Berwyn 20 hrs ago #12
She has very different plans for doggies IronLionZion 15 hrs ago #43
"Dumpy?" NM Grins 17 hrs ago #31
Let's just say it doesn't look like an upscale restaurant to me. SheltieLover 16 hrs ago #40
Hegseth... littlemissmartypants 22 hrs ago #3
umm, okay. So how many months before Noem has fully morphed into: hlthe2b 22 hrs ago #4
NASTY! Skittles 22 hrs ago #5
Thanks for the laugh wolfie001 21 hrs ago #8
They never know when to NJCher 20 hrs ago #10
They all look like this. yardwork 20 hrs ago #13
Trying to look like extreme female caricatures. Irish_Dem 14 hrs ago #51
It's just so grotesque. yardwork 12 hrs ago #59
Yes you can see Trump's hatred and disdain for women by his insistence Irish_Dem 11 hrs ago #61
Digital Dorian Gray. Marcuse 19 hrs ago #14
Ohhhh, LOVE IT!!! niyad 19 hrs ago #17
Also known as "Mar-a-lago face" (not kidding) TommyT139 15 hrs ago #44
Wow! Hekate 14 hrs ago #49
I saw that name some time back. .maybe around the holidays. All I niyad 12 hrs ago #57
Dear Goddess, you should have warned us. I nearly scared my kitty! niyad 19 hrs ago #16
Hard to believe that Gavin Newsome was ever married to that fugly monster. She used to be pretty. OMGWTF 16 hrs ago #33
My eyes, my eyes. twodogsbarking 16 hrs ago #36
Holy crap... LudwigPastorius 15 hrs ago #41
Gotta be some Hutt DNA in that construct. dchill 11 hrs ago #62
SecServ are there to protect stray dogs from a Noem incident, hence weren't watching the bag. . . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz 21 hrs ago #6
Kristi has Secret Service protection because Cricket actually belonged to John Wick. sop 21 hrs ago #7
I wonder if all of the contents of the bag were recovered? Walleye 20 hrs ago #9
Almost certainly the cash will be gone. JohnnyRingo 18 hrs ago #24
Do we even have any idea that she's telling the truth about the cash? Walleye 17 hrs ago #26
A drug trafficker would understand. JohnnyRingo 8 hrs ago #67
If Kristi did have that much cash in her purse, it was probably US taxpayer funded expense account. Irish_Dem 14 hrs ago #52
It must have been difficult to lift... Harker 20 hrs ago #11
Uh huhhhhh. The story as originally presented, and apparently still is, is BS. niyad 19 hrs ago #15
Has the supposed surveillance video been released. yardwork 18 hrs ago #20
they found some random person, who also happens to be brown, to take the fall. Javaman 18 hrs ago #23
I think it's plausible. Designer bags are a target. LisaM 17 hrs ago #25
It is not the bag itself, but the whole bizarre story. Bag at her feet, guy niyad 12 hrs ago #58
Convince me she didn't have a firearm in the bag and now it's lost in D.C.. Hotler 19 hrs ago #18
If she didn't have a gun in her bag, question why not? Walleye 17 hrs ago #27
Because she doesn't need one maybe Polybius 16 hrs ago #38
I don't know if all of the cabinet members are protected by Secret Service. But most people don't need a gun they carry Walleye 14 hrs ago #50
what a relief! cosplay barbie will be getting her makeup back! (hope she uses it and gets pink eye) nt orleans 18 hrs ago #19
because she can only defend herself against helpless puppies. nt Javaman 18 hrs ago #21
I believe it, but I don't see how he can have his back to her and use his foot to.... JohnnyRingo 18 hrs ago #22
We will never see the footage I don't think. It will show Noem to be the clueless chump that she is. Walleye 17 hrs ago #28
OK, which cabinet member was arrested? Sneederbunk 17 hrs ago #29
So now it's a "high end" gucci bag? getagrip_already 17 hrs ago #30
This bozo doesn't have a Hermes bag Prairie Gates 6 hrs ago #68
Just give her her swimsuit calendar made available as free .PDF file, already? Brainfodder 17 hrs ago #32
So the article preview cut off like this: El Mimbreno 16 hrs ago #34
Somebody has their priorities really fucked up. Botany 16 hrs ago #35
Now they find it, after everyone in the restaurant was deported. twodogsbarking 16 hrs ago #37
Sigh of relief! I was SO losing sleep over this. Not. n/t dobleremolque 16 hrs ago #39
When i heard an old bag was stolen, i was hoping it would be the last we hear from Kristi Noem Mr. Sparkle 15 hrs ago #42
wouldnt this be an effective way to 'give' something to someone else? 'I'll set my bag down and look away...' TalenaGor 15 hrs ago #45
Next stop that prison in El Salvador maybe, or some goons will rough him up first IronLionZion 15 hrs ago #46
She looks like a MAGA Stepford clone. Oopsie Daisy 15 hrs ago #47
$3 grand in cash and her passport... LudwigPastorius 14 hrs ago #48
Who cares? Is this news? Martin68 14 hrs ago #53
My first thought--Who gives a shit? Magoo48 10 hrs ago #63
Smells like a false flag.. Permanut 13 hrs ago #54
Multiple arrests expected? viva la 13 hrs ago #55
Agree - with cameras everywhere womanofthehills 10 hrs ago #64
Couldn't give less of a fuck. This is par for the course when your entire administration is incompetent trash. Karasu 13 hrs ago #56
This does not make sense to me Meowmee 11 hrs ago #60
amazing how quickly a purse theft can get solved when a rich person is the injured party Takket 9 hrs ago #65
With any luck, we can have endless congressional investigations of Kristi Noem's purse. mahatmakanejeeves 9 hrs ago #66
Please be white, please be white , please be white mahina 5 hrs ago #69

NJCher

(39,877 posts)
1. If she can't protect herself
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 05:54 AM
22 hrs ago

What is she doing as head of the agency that is supposed to protect us?

SheltieLover

(66,955 posts)
2. Don't you find it odd that she ate Easter dinner at that rather dumpy restaurant?
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 06:09 AM
22 hrs ago

I find it equally odd that her family eats with her. Of course, if she has kids, they don't have a choice. Poor kids..

Kid Berwyn

(20,100 posts)
12. For some reason, she didn't ask for a Doggie Bag.
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 08:34 AM
20 hrs ago

Another happy custom she must never have heard about.

SheltieLover

(66,955 posts)
40. Let's just say it doesn't look like an upscale restaurant to me.
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 12:43 PM
16 hrs ago

Who the hell eats a burger for Easter? Not that there is anything wrong with doing so, mind you, but with her trying to present this all-important image...

hlthe2b

(109,301 posts)
4. umm, okay. So how many months before Noem has fully morphed into:
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 06:28 AM
22 hrs ago



I say 8 months (if she is there that long)...

NJCher

(39,877 posts)
10. They never know when to
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 08:32 AM
20 hrs ago

Stop working on themselves, do they?

Only one word for this photo: grotesque.

yardwork

(66,341 posts)
13. They all look like this.
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 08:39 AM
20 hrs ago

Why are all these women disfiguring themselves to look like this?

It's so ugly.

Irish_Dem

(68,774 posts)
51. Trying to look like extreme female caricatures.
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 02:30 PM
14 hrs ago

Trump's fantasy of what women should look like.

Trump Tramps.

yardwork

(66,341 posts)
59. It's just so grotesque.
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 04:28 PM
12 hrs ago

Trump must hate women if this is his ideal.

I notice that Melania has resisted it. She definitely gets work but not these weird face implants and lips.

Irish_Dem

(68,774 posts)
61. Yes you can see Trump's hatred and disdain for women by his insistence
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 05:26 PM
11 hrs ago

they look like Trump Barbie dolls. I call it the Trump Tramp look.

These women go through a lot of expense, pain, disfigurement to meet the Trump
standard. They literally look misshapen and distorted. If you look at some
of the before pictures, these were attractive women.

The plastic facial and body surgery, botox, dental surgery, hair extensions,
make up, etc is all time consuming and in some cases quite painful.

Melania has had quite a bit of work done. Her boob job is grotesque.
But yes she is not near as mutilated as some of the others.
Ivanka didn't go too much overboard either.
But she does not look the same as prior to surgery.

niyad

(123,434 posts)
57. I saw that name some time back. .maybe around the holidays. All I
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 03:54 PM
12 hrs ago

could think was "stepford wives".

OMGWTF

(4,683 posts)
33. Hard to believe that Gavin Newsome was ever married to that fugly monster. She used to be pretty.
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 11:55 AM
16 hrs ago

That's what hate does to you.

Bernardo de La Paz

(54,951 posts)
6. SecServ are there to protect stray dogs from a Noem incident, hence weren't watching the bag. . . . . nt
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 06:56 AM
21 hrs ago

JohnnyRingo

(19,859 posts)
24. Almost certainly the cash will be gone.
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 10:30 AM
18 hrs ago

Either because it was spent, or....
Untraceable cash money is the first thing people declare to pad a theft report to an insurance company.

Walleye

(39,803 posts)
26. Do we even have any idea that she's telling the truth about the cash?
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 11:05 AM
17 hrs ago

I’m trying to imagine what it would be like if I told the police my bag had $3000 in cash and was stolen. I think that I would be the one arrested and I am a white woman. Can you imagine a black person going to the police and saying somebody stole my bag with $3000 cash in it and they said who was to buy their grandchildren goodies. Who would believe that?

JohnnyRingo

(19,859 posts)
67. A drug trafficker would understand.
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 08:05 PM
8 hrs ago

Or one dealing in stolen goods.
Cash is king in crime circles. That's why they don't print $500 bills anymore.

Irish_Dem

(68,774 posts)
52. If Kristi did have that much cash in her purse, it was probably US taxpayer funded expense account.
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 02:33 PM
14 hrs ago

niyad

(123,434 posts)
15. Uh huhhhhh. The story as originally presented, and apparently still is, is BS.
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 09:46 AM
19 hrs ago

As a writer, one could not present that scene in a story, and have it accepted.

Javaman

(63,678 posts)
23. they found some random person, who also happens to be brown, to take the fall.
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 10:28 AM
18 hrs ago

and will be deported, as an example of "how bad things are in the U.S."

we will never learn the truth.

LisaM

(29,125 posts)
25. I think it's plausible. Designer bags are a target.
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 10:59 AM
17 hrs ago

I have some nice bags (not as nice as hers) and the bags themselves are a target. I am very careful of where I take them and keep an eye on them at all times - when I do use them. Purses in general are a target. I was attacked at a bus stop once and the guy tried to grab my purse and run. I also had a fair amount of cash because I was getting ready to go out of town. If it hadn't been a Coach bag with a fairly strong lower handle, he probably would have gotten away with it, and the fact that it was a Coach bag probably made it more desirable to him. I was able to fend him off because I screamed really loudly, and fought back, and then, thank God, the bus arrived. I still get the heebie jeebies at that bus stop. And I don't use my nice purses for grocery store trips anymore.

Welcome to the world women live in.

niyad

(123,434 posts)
58. It is not the bag itself, but the whole bizarre story. Bag at her feet, guy
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 04:14 PM
12 hrs ago

supposedly sitting at a table behind her, with his back to her, reaching around with his foot to scoot the bag from under her feet, and nobody noticed. Tucked the bag under his jacket, and just walked out. What in the f'n hell was her ss detail doing? How in the f'n HELL did she not notice the actions of the contortionist, because that is what he had to be to do what was described. Release the video. .except by now they could have created one to match their story.

And, as a woman who knows all too well the world we live in, and carries a LARGE shoulder bag everywhere I go, I know where my purse is every minute when I am out, because I do understand very well. I don't care whether it was Gucci, Hermes, Coach, or something from Goodwill, that story is pure bs.

Hotler

(13,021 posts)
18. Convince me she didn't have a firearm in the bag and now it's lost in D.C..
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 09:48 AM
19 hrs ago

The D.C. pipe bomber is still walking free. Just saying.

Polybius

(19,822 posts)
38. Because she doesn't need one maybe
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 12:28 PM
16 hrs ago

I believe the Secret Service accompanies cabinet appointees at all times.

Walleye

(39,803 posts)
50. I don't know if all of the cabinet members are protected by Secret Service. But most people don't need a gun they carry
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 02:25 PM
14 hrs ago

Firearms because they enjoy it. i’m just surprised she didn’t have one on her just as a matter of general principle. Being who she is

orleans

(35,934 posts)
19. what a relief! cosplay barbie will be getting her makeup back! (hope she uses it and gets pink eye) nt
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 10:06 AM
18 hrs ago

JohnnyRingo

(19,859 posts)
22. I believe it, but I don't see how he can have his back to her and use his foot to....
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 10:26 AM
18 hrs ago

drag the bag over to himself. Quite a contortionist.
I wonder if the footage will be released to the public. If it isn't, that'll be suspicious.

Walleye

(39,803 posts)
28. We will never see the footage I don't think. It will show Noem to be the clueless chump that she is.
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 11:10 AM
17 hrs ago

getagrip_already

(17,680 posts)
30. So now it's a "high end" gucci bag?
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 11:25 AM
17 hrs ago

First it was a hermes, then louis voiton, now gucci.

Which is it?

Brainfodder

(7,199 posts)
32. Just give her her swimsuit calendar made available as free .PDF file, already?
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 11:52 AM
17 hrs ago

Let her replace the Marlboro Man for a new age too, I do not care or mind.

El Mimbreno

(798 posts)
34. So the article preview cut off like this:
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 12:04 PM
16 hrs ago

"DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, a law enforcement sour ..."

Sourpuss?

Can't help it, that's how my mind works.

Botany

(73,949 posts)
35. Somebody has their priorities really fucked up.
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 12:14 PM
16 hrs ago

A Gucci handbag that cost > 4K, a Louis Vuitton wallet, 3K in cash, blank checks, DHS access
stuff, keys, passport, and her I.D. probably with her address on it too.

Is she knowingly so guilty or such a shit that taking flight @ a moment’s notice is always
on her mind?

TalenaGor

(1,168 posts)
45. wouldnt this be an effective way to 'give' something to someone else? 'I'll set my bag down and look away...'
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 01:18 PM
15 hrs ago

especially since she was at a...less bougie place than one would expect her to be
a thumb drive maybe....


(edited to correct spelling)

IronLionZion

(48,574 posts)
46. Next stop that prison in El Salvador maybe, or some goons will rough him up first
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 01:20 PM
15 hrs ago

things are not looking good for whoever they arrested.

This is such a strange story. She was quick to blame illegal immigrants and promise to keep Americans safe from them.

LudwigPastorius

(12,286 posts)
48. $3 grand in cash and her passport...
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 02:03 PM
14 hrs ago

Is that her everyday purse or her "bug out" bag? Both?

Sounds like she wants to always be prepared to exit the country if things quickly go south for the Trump regime.

viva la

(4,069 posts)
55. Multiple arrests expected?
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 03:12 PM
13 hrs ago

This doesn't sound like a highly sophisticated group project.
Then again, apparently the Secretary isn't smart enough to keep her foot on her fancy purse like the rest of us do.

womanofthehills

(9,688 posts)
64. Agree - with cameras everywhere
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 06:05 PM
10 hrs ago

The thieves can’t be too bright. They probably also have videos of them entering the restaurant, walking down the street etc.

All the designer stuff is such a turnoff too. I like the videos coming out of China on what a rip off the designer bags are.

Karasu

(1,006 posts)
56. Couldn't give less of a fuck. This is par for the course when your entire administration is incompetent trash.
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 03:44 PM
13 hrs ago

Meowmee

(8,758 posts)
60. This does not make sense to me
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 05:01 PM
11 hrs ago

"The thief, dressed in dark clothing, sat down at an empty table next to the puppy murderer with his back facing her and used his left foot to slide the bag away, the source said. "

Please explain to me how he could be sitting with his back to her and use his left foot to slide the bag away? That doesn't seem physically possible??? wth

I would like to see the video of this. The tables don't look close together either... I looked the restaurant up online. They have a lot of bad reviews also, terrible service apparently and more. It looks pretty small so I don't see how they could have corporate events there as some reviews said they were closed for that when they tried to eat there but had not been told they would be closed for an event. People had trouble waiting for a long time when picking up food as well.

Takket

(22,942 posts)
65. amazing how quickly a purse theft can get solved when a rich person is the injured party
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 07:27 PM
9 hrs ago

willing to be 99.9% of these cases end with "we'll let you know if we find anything" and the cops never spend another minute on it.

mahatmakanejeeves

(64,455 posts)
66. With any luck, we can have endless congressional investigations of Kristi Noem's purse.
Sun Apr 27, 2025, 07:33 PM
9 hrs ago

It will be the new Hunter Biden’s laptop.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Arrest made in the theft ...