Freeze! Purse Thief Falls Through Frozen Pond

Police say a Hudson Valley man who stole a woman's purse was arrested after he fled over a frozen pond and fell through the ice.

William Betz, of Forestburgh, is accused of stealing a woman's purse from her shopping cart as she loaded bags into her car Thursday evening. The woman screamed for help and chased Betz and a possible accomplice across the parking lot.

Sullivan County authorities say Betz threw the purse to the ground and ran onto a pond, where he fell through the ice. The 36-year-old made his way ashore after a few minutes. An officer found him lying in nearby weeds and arrested him.

Betz was taken to an area hospital and treated for possible hypothermia. He was then charged with grand larceny.

The purse was recovered and returned. Police are looking for the potential accomplice.