Rider on Horse Aids Police in Hit & Run Case

Riverside Township Police
Riverside, NJ

Riverside - This past Saturday morning, officers with the Riverside Township Police Department were called to Middleton Street for a report of a hit-and-run motor vehicle accident. The officers were met by the caller, who stated that she had heard a loud crash outside of her home.  As she exited her home, she observed a vehicle speeding off and noticed damage to a parked car.  A short time later, a man named “PJ” appeared atop a horse and informed the caller that he had witnessed the car crash.  He told her that he saw a grey Honda Accord crash into the parked vehicle and drive off.  With the help of his horse, nicknamed “Shiny”, PJ was able to ride after the vehicle and get close enough to obtain a partial license plate number, which he passed on to police.  PJ stated that he was just visiting Riverside to show his horse to his friends when he saw the accident occur. 

Using that information, the police were able to identify the suspect, and a short time later, placed 22-year-old, Italo Lalvay Guaillasaca under arrest.  Guaillasaca was charged with Careless Driving, Driving without a License, Failure to Report an Accident and Leaving the Scene of an Accident.  

We want to thank the witnesses in this case for being observant, coming forward, and making the calls to our officers.  We’d especially like to thank PJ and his sidekick "Shiny" for their efforts to get us the information that ultimately solved the case. 

PJ and Shiny

"ALL SUSPECTS ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW"