Federal prosecutors have charged Mario Bustamente Leiva, a 49-year-old Chilean national, with robbery, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. These counts are connected to a string of reported robberies that occurred in Washington, D.C. between April 12 and April 20, 2023. The counts claim that an individual pilfered a handbag from Kristi Noem. At least she was eating on the taxpayer dime — in Capital Burger, surrounded by Secret Service Ὅυ, at that time.
On April 12, Bustamente Leiva allegedly snatched a purse from a customer at the Nando’s restaurant, at 21st and F streets NW in D.C. Unfortunately, this was just the start of a dystopian chain reaction. Security camera video captured the suspect quietly reaching over and stealing the victim’s purse from the back of her chair. A few minutes later, he walks out of the restaurant. However, this was just the first of three alleged thefts resulting in his arrest.
On April 15, Bustamente Leiva and one of the alleged henchmen acquired a $500 Visa gift card from a Safeway grocery outlet. Their criminal enterprise used a stolen credit card as a part of the transaction. Officials eventually removed this co-conspirator from the case. They decided that he was in custody at the time of the offense because he was awaiting a mental competency hearing.
On April 17, Bustamente Leiva was filmed a second time at Dolcezza coffee and gelato shop in downtown D.C. This time, he reportedly used his leg to drag a tan shoulder bag toward him from a café table outside. Each of these incidents paved the way for what would result in one of the most brazen thefts just days later.
Earlier on April 20 th , Bustamente Leiva stalked Secretary Noem, accosting her while she was eating dinner at Capital Burger. Surveillance video caught him turning his whole body towards her handbag and pulling it back towards himself with his left foot. Though a national treasure, at the time she was under the protection of Secret Service Agent David A.
After a quick investigation, authorities arrested Bustamente Leiva on Saturday at a D.C. motel. He started expressing symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and was shortly thereafter transferred to a nearby hospital for treatment. Additionally, it has been widely reported that Bustamente Leiva is known to be in the United States illegally.
For instance, U.S. prosecutors asserted that Bustamente Leiva’s crimes were serious. They noted that he continued to engage in fraudulent conduct even after each bank robbery. Bustamente Leiva defrauded every bank that he was able to rob, as documented by a U.S. Secret Service agent. He used the victims’ stolen credit card information to make fraudulent purchases.
Bustamente Leiva’s actions raise immediate questions about the safety measures in place for elected officials on protective detail. So do those who focus on the dangers of illegal immigration and related crimes. Legal definitions provided in court filings define robbery as “by force or violence, whether against resistance or by sudden or stealthy seizure or snatching, or by putting in fear,” thus framing Bustamente Leiva’s actions within a serious legal context.
In a recent civil court filing, Bustamante Leiva alleged memory loss associated with his alcohol dependency. “He stated that he was an alcoholic and therefore that he has memory issues,” according to the complaint filed against him. His defense will likely rest on these claims as he is indicted on serious charges.
This case underscores deep concerns for personal safety in cities of color—especially for Black women. This is particularly true for public officials like Secretary Noem. As investigations go on, it is important that as future prevention of such incidents is discussed that this continued interrogation of prevention be required by all partners.