The Incident: What Happened Over Easter Weekend
1.1 Setting the Scene: A Family Easter Dinner
On the evening of Saturday, March 30, Secretary Noem chose The Capital Burger—a casual eatery located roughly one mile from the White House—to celebrate Easter with her immediate family. With interior lighting bathing the dining room in a warm glow and a moderate holiday crowd, patrons enjoyed classic American fare while live acoustic music provided ambiance. The restaurant’s proximity to federal buildings and frequent visitation by staff and tourists alike has made it a popular spot for both casual diners and occasional public-figure appearances.
1.2 The Theft Unfolds
According to the police complaint, Noem placed her Louis Vuitton Clemence shoulder bag—retailing for $4,400—on the floor next to her chair. Containing more than $3,000 in cash, her government credentials (including a driver’s license, passport, and DHS badge), and apartment keys, the bag represented both significant monetary and security risk.
At approximately 7:15 p.m., surveillance footage captured a masked individual—wearing an N95 surgical mask, dark pants, a fur-collared jacket, and a baseball cap—appearing to scout the dining room. The thief approached Noem’s table, used a foot to snag the purse handle, dragged the bag several steps behind a coat for concealment, and exited through the main entrance. No one in the party noticed the theft until they found the bag missing moments later.
1.3 Immediate Aftermath
Noem recounted the moment in an interview on the “Vince” podcast, hosted by conservative commentator Vince Coglianese:
“I actually felt my purse—I thought it was my grandkids kicking my legs. But he hooked it with his foot, dragged it a few steps away, dropped a coat over it, and took it. It was very professionally done.”
Upon discovering the missing bag, Noem and her family alerted restaurant staff, who immediately checked security cameras. Within hours, authorities were notified, initiating a joint response by the Secret Service (tasked with protecting Cabinet members) and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department.
