WASHINGTON, D.C.
Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service Washington Field Office Matt McCool released the following the statement:
Special agents, investigative analysts, and technical support personnel from the Washington Field Office, in close coordination with the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C., led an intensive investigation that resulted in the arrest of an individual connected to last week's robbery involving Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The defendant was taken into custody without incident in the District of Columbia.
Following a comprehensive investigation, the Secret Service alleges that the defendant is a serial offender. We have also determined that this incident had no protective nexus to Secretary Noem or her role as Secretary of Homeland Security. The investigation revealed alleged criminal activity, including potential device and credit card fraud. Given this, the Secret Service will maintain jurisdiction over the case and intends to present its findings to a federal court in coordination with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
I would also like to express my sincere thanks to our partners at the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, United States Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Their collaboration was instrumental in the swift and successful resolution of this case. The agents and officers involved pursued every lead with precision and determination through what proved to be a complex, multi-jurisdictional investigation. Their efforts exemplify the very best in detective work and interagency cooperation.
As this matter is now pending before a federal court, we would refer any further questions to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
MIAMI
Agents from the U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Miami, Florida, on Sunday arrested a second suspect linked to a pattern of robberies and thefts in Washington, D.C.
The individual is believed to be a co-conspirator in those incidents with the primary defendant who is accused of committing a robbery against Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. The arrest was made early Sunday with critical assistance from the Miami Beach Police Department and ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations division.
Special Agent in Charge Rafael Barros of the U.S. Secret Service Miami Field Office announced the arrest.
"Public safety is strongest when built on trust and collaboration," Special Agent in Charge Rafael Barros said. "We are grateful to the Miami Beach Police Department for their swift and outstanding assistance in today's apprehension. After receiving information from Washington, Miami Beach Police officers quickly implemented targeted patrols and located the defendant, who was taken into custody without incident."
The suspect is currently being held on an immigration detainer as charges are finalized in coordination with the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C., the U.S. Secret Service, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. The defendant's name will be released upon the filing of those charges.