A Chilean's Quick Escape Plan After Stealing a High-Profile Bag

A man from Chile, Mario Bustamante-Leiva, is in serious trouble. He is accused of stealing a high-end Gucci bag from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. This incident happened in Washington, D. C. during an Easter outing with her family. The bag was worth $4, 000 and contained an additional $3, 000 in cash. This was not his first offense. Bustamante-Leiva has a history of similar crimes. He has been charged with wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and robbery. These charges come after a series of purse snatchings in April. Bustamante-Leiva's actions did not stop at stealing the bag. He tried to leave the country quickly. He requested an emergency passport from the Chilean consulate. This request raised concerns about his intentions to flee. The judge, Matthew J. Sharbaugh, decided to hold him without bail. The judge noted Bustamante-Leiva's extensive criminal record. He has been charged with serious federal crimes and has a history of not appearing in court. The judge also mentioned that Bustamante-Leiva has no real ties to any community. This makes him a serious flight risk. Bustamante-Leiva's actions are part of a larger pattern. He is believed to be part of a robbery organization operating on the East Coast. Another Chilean national, Cristian Rodrigo Montecino-Sanzana, was also arrested. He was indicted on similar charges for helping in the robbery of Noem's designer purse. Montecino-Sanzana had been released into the U. S. despite a federal notice of expedited removal. This raises questions about the effectiveness of immigration policies. The robbery spree involved multiple locations. Bustamante-Leiva targeted Capital Burger, the Westin Hotel, and a D. C. coffee shop. He used his jacket to hide some of his stolen items. After the robberies, he enjoyed dining and drinking at Angolo Ristorante Italiano before staying at a Motel 6. His actions show a pattern of bold and calculated crimes. This pattern includes stealing and using credit cards from his victims. Bustamante-Leiva's criminal history goes beyond these recent incidents. He had been accused of a similar robbery in New York the month before. He stole a fanny pack from a Times Square dosa shop and used $1, 200 from one of its credit cards. He had also been convicted for stealing $28, 000 worth of phones, wallets, and computers in London back in 2015. This history of crime makes his recent actions even more concerning. It shows a repeated pattern of theft and deception.