Cows help police catch car thief in Florida

Via tampabay.com by Daniel Figueroa IV

The herded became the herders Monday when a woman fleeing police through a pasture was chased down by more than a dozen cows, leading her straight to officers and arrest, according to the Sanford Police Department.

A Seminole County Sheriff’s Office helicopter team captured video of the cows bucking trends and defying traditional roles to become the heroes in this tale of justice, not just mere namesakes.

The video shows Jennifer Anne Kaufman running through the field being chased by the cows, who worked together to corral the suspect.


Authorities said Kaufman, 46, was riding in a stolen Subaru SUV being pursued by officers when the vehicle crashed near the pasture after officers attempted to disable it with stop sticks. Kaufman and another occupant, Jamie Michael Young, fled into the pasture. A third occupant, Erin Thomas, 38, stayed with the vehicle. Young, 46, was chased down by a K9 unit, but Kaufman made it deeper.

Then, video shows, police got an animal assist.

"Actually, a large group of cows is following her for a good visual. It looks like they may attack her," the helicopter team can be heard saying. "She’s pretty far into the field now. If you see the large group of cows, they’re literally following her and chasing her."

The herd of cattle chased Kaufman right to a fence, where authorities were waiting on the other side.

Police said the Subaru was stolen out of Brevard County. A search of the vehicle yielded more than a gram of cocaine, a crack pipe, syringes and a metal spoon.

Kaufman was charged with petit theft, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, trespassing, resisting arrest and violation of probation. She is currently being held in Seminole County Jail.

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