MIAMI (WSVN) - A man arrested for his alleged role in the theft of a high-end Gucci bag belonging to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appeared before a judge Monday.
“Sir, you were arrested for possession of a stolen or fictitious driver’s license,” said Miami Dade Circuit Judge Mindy S. Glazer.
Noem’s purse was nabbed while she had dinner at a Washington, D.C., restaurant with her family on Easter Sunday. The purse reportedly contained about $3,000 in cash, her keys, medication, driver’s license, passport and Homeland Security badge.
The prime suspect was taken into custody by federal authorities in DC, while his alleged partner in crime, 51-year-old Cristian Rodrigo Montecino-Sanzana, was arrested in Miami Beach on Sunday.
Prior to his arrest, Montecino-Sanzana was spotted walking into a Walgreens in Miami Beach.
According to detectives, they found an identification that didn’t match his name.
According to the arrest report, he told officers he “purchased the California identification card for work purposes.”
Officials said the duo worked together to snatch Noem’s purse, adding that her role as Secretary of Homeland Security doesn’t appear to be a proactive measure for the theft.
After the suspects were arrested, Noem thanked the Secret Service and Immigration and Customs Enforcement for their work on the case in a post on X on Sunday.
“I’ll set a bond to $2,500 bond,” said the judge.
Montecino-Sanzana is being held on an immigration detainer as federal authorities are still finalizing the charges against him.
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