A man with eight prior DUI convictions was arrested in Upland earlier this week after allegedly causing a felony hit-and-run crash and fleeing into a nearby equestrian center, where he was eventually tracked down by officers — one of whom was on horseback.
Police said the incident unfolded around 4:50 p.m. at the intersection of Campus Avenue and 21st Street, when a woman stopped at a stop sign and was rear-ended by a minivan. The impact caused the woman to suffer neck and back injuries.
The driver of the minivan reportedly got out of the vehicle, ignored the injured woman, and ran off on foot into a neighboring equestrian facility.
Police responded quickly, establishing a perimeter around the property while K9 officers and drones searched from the ground and air. During the search, an officer on a motorcycle was offered a horse by staff at the equestrian center — and accepted.
“As the saying goes, ‘When in Rome,’” Upland PD wrote in an X post. “The officer happens to ride horses on the weekends and is well experienced, so the horse was called to service.”
About 30 minutes later, officers found the suspect hiding in a bush. After being given multiple K9 warnings, the man surrendered without further incident.
Police said the suspect was under the influence at the time of the crash and had a suspended license. He was booked on suspicion of felony DUI causing injury and felony hit-and-run.
Authorities added that the man has a lengthy criminal history, including eight prior DUI convictions.
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