A pursuit on horseback culminated in an arrest Wednesday on the Upper West Side after a suspect allegedly snatched a purse. The incident occurred near West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue around 11 a.m. A mounted NYPD unit officer, identified in some reports as riding a horse named Kelly, intercepted the fleeing suspect after the theft.

The suspect, identified as Felicia Field, was apprehended by the officer and other responding personnel. Field was reportedly charged with grand larceny and false personation, having provided an incorrect name to authorities upon arrest. Field has a history of convictions, including for a previous homicide committed when she was a teenager.

The chase involved the officer on horseback pursuing the suspect, who had initially fled on foot. Witnesses alerted the officer to the unfolding crime. Video footage of the pursuit, showing the horse galloping on the street and sidewalks, has circulated on social media. The NYPD stated the mounted unit is part of its Special Operations Bureau. The recovered purse was returned to its owner.

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Background: The Role of the Mounted Unit

The NYPD's mounted unit has a long-standing presence in the city, utilizing horses for patrol duties in various environments, including congested urban areas. This unit often plays a role in crowd control, public order policing, and, as demonstrated in this instance, in apprehending suspects where the terrain or situation allows for mounted pursuit. The use of horses provides officers with a unique vantage point and mobility, which can be advantageous in certain law enforcement scenarios. This incident, occurring on a Wednesday morning, highlights the ongoing, sometimes unconventional, methods employed by law enforcement in response to street-level crime.