Two accused of snatching bag of Homeland Security secretary

U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested an alleged co-conspirator in Miami, Fla. on Sunday soon after announcing a suspect had been arrested in Washington. The two suspects are alleged to have been involved in a string of thefts or robberies in the Washington area, according to a statement released by Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service Washington Field Office Matt McCool. The suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on social media that her bag was stolen on Easter Sunday while she shared a meal with her family at a Washington restaurant.

Was she in danger? The interagency team working on the case found that the incident had no protective link to Noem or her role at Homeland Security, according to McCool’s statement. But it did involve alleged criminal activity, including potential device and credit card fraud, McCool said. Secret Service planned to maintain jurisdiction over the case and have U.S. attorneys present their findings in a federal court.

Who are the suspects? Authorities didn’t release their names pending the filing of formal charges. ICE was involved in the investigations, according to McCool’s statement.

Noem described the alleged bag-snatcher as a career criminal and illegal immigrant.