Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem in a recent interview recounted her purse being stolen at a Washington, D.C., restaurant, saying the thief “hooked” it while it was on the floor.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was kind of shocking, actually, because it was sitting right by my feet,\u201d Noem told podcast host Vince Coglianese on a Wednesday episode<\/a> of his \u201cVince\u201d podcast. <\/p>\n \u201cI actually felt my purse \u2014 he hooked it with his foot and drug it a few steps away and dropped a coat over it and took it,\u201d the DHS secretary said.<\/p>\n An official previously confirmed to The Hill\u2019s sister network NewsNation that Noem\u2019s purse, which had $3,000 of cash in it as well as her department access badge, was stolen Sunday at a restaurant<\/a> in the nation\u2019s capital.<\/p>\n DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Noem had been eating dinner when a thief stole her purse that also had her passport, driver\u2019s license, blank checks and keys.<\/p>\n McLaughlin also told NewsNation that Noem had been celebrating Easter at the time of the incident.<\/p>\n \u201cShe had the cash because her whole family was in town (including children and grandchildren) and was treating them to activities, dinner and Easter gifts,\u201d McLaughlin said.<\/p>\n Noem also said on the podcast that the stolen purse had not been returned.<\/p>\n \u201cI felt it but I thought it was my grandkids kicking me in the legs,\u201d Noem said of the incident, adding later that \u201cit was very professionally done.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem in a recent interview recounted her purse being stolen at a Washington, D.C., restaurant, saying the thief “hooked” it while it was<\/p>\n