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Mounted NYPD Officer on Horseback Nabs Suspected Purse Thief on Upper West Side

The viral bodycam clip refocuses attention on mounted policing in crowded streets.

Overview

  • An NYPD mounted officer on horse Kelly pursued a fleeing suspect near West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue on Wednesday, recovered a stolen purse, and made an arrest with help from a bystander.
  • The woman was charged with grand larceny and false impersonation after police said she gave a fake name when taken into custody.
  • Several outlets identified the suspect as 44-year-old Felicia Field, who served about 25 years for a 2000 fatal robbery and was paroled last year.
  • The department posted the officer’s bodycam footage to X on Thursday, the clip spread widely online, and police said the investigation is ongoing after the suspect was arraigned and released.
  • The NYPD says its Mounted Unit, in service since 1858, deters crime and helps officers move through dense crowds where cars and foot patrols can struggle.