Chilean national's U.S. entry precedes arrest warrant discovery
Chilean national entered U.S. legally in 2021 but had active multi-state arrest warrants.
Event / Security
Chilean National Theft Sentencing DC
A 50-year-old Chilean national illegally present in the US was sentenced to three years in prison for stealing a purse containing credit cards and approximately $3,000 in cash from former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at a Washington D.C. restaurant in April 2025. The defendant engaged in a pattern of thefts targeting women at district restaurants and used stolen credit cards for fraudulent purchases. His co-defendant received a 13-month sentence. The defendant had overstayed his authorized period after entering through the Visa Waiver Program in 2021 and had active arrest warrants in other states.
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2026-08-18 to 2026-11-15 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 23 Apr, 01:37 UTC
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What happened
Pattern of purse thefts targeting women at Washington D.C. restaurants
Mario Bustamante Leiva engaged in a pattern of thefts at restaurants throughout Washington D.C., systematically targeting women and stealing their purses. Court records show thefts occurred on April 12, 17, and 20, 2025. He worked with co-defendant Cristian Montecino-Sanzana on at least one theft on April 12.
Purse stolen from Kristi Noem at Washington D.C. restaurant in April 2025
On April 20, 2025, Mario Bustamante Leiva stole a Gucci purse from Kristi Noem while she was dining with her family at a restaurant in Washington D.C. under Secret Service protection. The purse contained credit cards and approximately $3,000 in cash. Police recovered the purse from Leiva's motel room.
Mario Bustamante Leiva entered U.S. through Visa Waiver Program in 2021
Mario Bustamante Leiva entered the United States visa-free in August 2021 through Orlando International Airport in Florida under the federal government's Visa Waiver Program. He was authorized to remain in the country until November 13, 2021, but overstayed his permitted duration, making him an illegal resident at the time of the thefts in April 2025.
Co-defendant Cristian Montecino-Sanzana sentenced to 13 months in prison
Cristian Rodrigo Montecino-Sanzana, a 52-year-old from Chile, was sentenced to 13 months in prison for his role in one of the restaurant thefts. He also faces deportation after his sentence.
Bustamante Leiva had active arrest warrants in multiple states
At the time of the purse thefts in April 2025, Mario Bustamante Leiva had active arrest warrants in Utah and New York related to retail theft, credit card theft, and possession of stolen property.
Stolen credit cards from purse used for unauthorized purchases
After stealing Kristi Noem's purse, Mario Bustamante Leiva used the stolen credit cards to make fraudulent purchases at other locations, including gift cards worth hundreds of dollars. The purchases occurred shortly after the theft.
Mario Bustamante Leiva sentenced to three years in prison for theft and wire fraud
Mario Bustamante Leiva, a 50-year-old native of Chile, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden to three years in prison. He pleaded guilty in November to three counts of wire fraud and one count of first-degree theft. Following his prison sentence, he faces deportation to Chile.
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2 alternative perspectives
Restaurant theft ring members sentenced in Washington D.C.
Two men sentenced for coordinated restaurant theft and fraud operation in Washington D.C.