A law enforcement source familiar with the investigation told CNN that allegedly theft of high-end Gucci bags belonging to DHS secretary Kristi Noem.
One person was detained and several arrests are expected to be seen in recent arrests on the burglary rings in the Pennsylvania area, sources said.
Authorities have not released specific details about the man’s identity, but the arrest comes after the U.S. Secret Service launched an investigation and found the perpetrator, who stole her luggage while having dinner with her family on Easter Sunday.
“We are currently unable to confirm or comment for the safety of our agents and officials. If criminal charges are filed, the Department of Homeland Security will provide public information under established procedures,” Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said.
As CNN previously reported, the surveillance footage of the incident was at the Capital Burger restaurant in Washington, D.C., showing the suspect intentionally approaching Noem as he placed a Gucci bag near his feet.
The source said the thief was wearing dark clothes and was sitting at an empty table next to Norm, with his back facing her and sliding the bag away with his left foot. He investigated the restaurant, then finally picked up the bag, used his coat and left.
Sources said that it was only when Neum got up from the table that she realized her schoolbag was missing.
The items in the bag include Louis Vuitton Clemes wallet, Neum’s driver’s license, medication, apartment keys, passport, DHS Access badge, makeup bag, blank check and approximately $3,000 in cash.
CNN contacted Darden Restaurants, the parent company of Capital Burger, which did not respond to a request for comment.
It is not clear whether the thief knows Noem’s identity or that she is a random target.
Noem dined at the dining table with his family, according to familiar sources. Sources did not specify how many agents or places within the restaurant Noem accompanied.
Commenting on the massive cash Noem immediately carried with him, a DHS spokesman said: “Her whole family is in town, including her children and grandchildren – she is using withdrawal to treat her family for supper, events and Easter gifts.”
Law enforcement experts raised concerns about the incident (which involved the thief so close to the cabinet official and then absconded with her property).
For more CNN news and newsletters, create an account on CNN.com
