Watch NYPD Officers Chase Down Accused Purse Snatcher in Subway

April 11, 2024

A wild chase erupted in a Manhattan subway station when NYPD officers ran down a 41-year-old man accused of taking off with a 23-year-old woman's purse after a brief struggle.

Joe Vince

An accused purse snatcher led NYPD officers on a wild chase through a subway station over the weekend before the suspect was apprehended as he almost lost his pants.

The incident happened at about 1 a.m. Saturday at the 59th Street and Lexington Avenue subway station in Manhattan, WPIX-TV reports. A 41-year-old man with a bench warrant for his arrest stole a 23-year-old woman's purse after a struggle.

Transit officers spotted the suspect with the woman right behind him. A chase began through the station until officers were able to run down the suspect, whose pants almost fell down as the pursuit ended.

The suspect was arrested, and the woman's purse was returned. In a statement, NYPD Chief of Transit Michael Kemper said the suspect was "WELL KNOWN to the NYPD" and that he had an open pending court case for a different felony arrest stemming from an incident at another Manhattan subway station in October 2023.

"Outstanding job officers!" he added.

About the Author

Joe Vince

Joining Endeavor Business Media in 2018, Joe has worked on the company's city services publications. He began working at OFFICER.com as the assistant editor. Before starting at Endeavor, Joe had worked for a variety of print and online news outlets, including the Indianapolis Star, the South Bend Tribune, Reddit and Patch.com.