Secretary of Domestic Security Kristi Noem said on Sunday that the secret service arrested the person who swiped his bag from a Washington restaurant on Easter Sunday when he ate with his family.
“Thank you to @secretservice @ice and our law enforcement partner to find and catch criminals who stole my bag on Easter Sunday when I share food with my family at the Washington DC restaurant,” Noem posted on X.
The authorities say a man wearing a mask takes Noem’s bag, which contains $ 3,000, DHS access card, passport, makeup bag, apartment key, and other items.
Noem said in his position that the person arrested was “Career criminals who have been in our country illegally for years.”
Secretary of Domestic Security Kristi Noem attended a meeting with President El Salvador at the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, April 14, 2025.
Ken Cedeno/Epa-Efe/Shutterstock
“Unfortunately, so many families in this country have become victims by crime, and that is why President Trump works every day to make America safe and issue this criminal alien from our paths,” he said.
In a post on X on Saturday, the Secret Service Spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said, “For the safety of our agents and officers, we are not in a position to confirm or comment at this time. If criminal accusations are submitted, the Department of Domestic Security will provide public information in accordance with the specified procedures.”
In an interview on Thursday, Noem said he thought the theft was “done professionally.”
“Actually it was a bit surprising, because sitting right near my feet, really felt my wallet, he associated it with his feet and dragged him a few steps away and dropped the coat on it and took it,” Noem said to “The Vince Show.”
Noem said he was not sure if he was the target because he was the Secretary of DHS. He said he felt something brushing his feet where the bag was on his feet, but thought it was one of his grandchildren.
“I think I am a grandmother who is busy with four grandchildren under the age of 4 years, and I take care of them and give them food and enjoy my family, yes, but of course my wallet even touches my feet,” he said.
A DHS official said the secretary had cash with him because his family was in the city and he treated them for the Easter celebration.
“All of his families are in the city including children and grandchildren – he uses cash withdrawals to treat his family for dinner, activities, and Easter prizes,” said the official.
-ABC News’ Beatrice Peterson contributed to this report.