Similar purse-snatching happened blocks away in Washington days before Kristi Noem’s bag was taken

Three days before Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had her purse stolen while dining at a Washington restaurant, another woman dining with her family at a nearby eatery had her purse taken in a similar fashion, according to records. NBC News found the similarities between the two incidents after requesting theft reports in the area from Washington police. While it’s uncertain if the two incidents are linked, the first victim of the purse snatching believes they are connected. She expressed shock at the resemblance of the crimes, recounting how her purse was stolen on Thursday at a restaurant in the downtown Westin Hotel.

Noem’s purse, containing $3,000 in cash, was stolen on Sunday at Capital Burger, located two blocks from the Westin, as per a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson and sources familiar with the incident. The thief, described as a white male in dark clothing, a dark baseball hat, and a white N95 mask, was captured on security video, according to law enforcement sources. The individual reportedly entered Capital Burger, sat near Noem, moved closer, and used his foot to slide her purse towards him before taking it and walking out of the restaurant.

In the earlier theft on Thursday, the victim, who went unnamed by NBC News, noticed her purse was missing only after getting the check at the Westin Hotel restaurant. The thief allegedly took her bag from the chair where it was hanging near her table. The victim later discovered her health insurance card at a nearby store, close to where Noem’s purse was stolen.

The victim, upon learning about Noem’s theft, considered contacting the police due to the striking similarities in their experiences. A police detective reached out to her, drawing a connection to the Noem case and inquiring if she had any political involvement, to which she responded negatively. The victim’s husband condemned the thief’s actions, describing them as targeting women dining with their families. She described the incident as extremely stressful and violating.

The Secret Service is handling the investigation into the theft of Noem’s purse, while Washington police declined to comment on the case. As of Tuesday afternoon, no arrests had been made in either incident. It remains unclear if Noem was specifically targeted due to her role in President Donald Trump’s Cabinet. Noem, who receives Secret Service protection, had at least two plainclothes agents present at the restaurant during the incident.