For the motorists may have spotted a rainbow trail while driving along Avenue 12 and Road 33 to Road 35 in Madera County on the morning of Feb. 25, but there is no need to be confused because it is just evidence of California Highway Patrol (CHP) - Central Division's three-hour Unicorn chase on the night of Feb. 24.
Yes, the CHP officers involved in the chase could not believe it either when they were told to pursue an escaped unicorn in Central California. But, as it turned out, they were only chasing after a non-magical white pony with a unicorn alter-ego which escaped from a photoshoot and not one of the magical creatures that escaped Newt Scamander's magical briefcase.
Juliet, the white Shetland pony, belongs to the family of photographer Sandra Boos who accessorizes her with a Unicorn horn and a pink halter for photoshoots and birthday parties. Juliet had apparently escaped but was quickly caught, which did not seem to amuse the 400-pound Shetland, so she made a more daring escape.
All those involved in the photoshoot tried to pursue Juliet again but the pony kept running away whenever they came close. She eventually ran through the orchards and into the roads, which led to the involvement of the CHP.
Needless to say, CHP officers were still quite confused when they received the call, as anyone would be if they were told a mythical creature was disrupting traffic.
"The calls were coming in as a unicorn running around out there on the roadway," CHP Officer Josh McConnell said.
"I've been doing this for 14 years and this is my first call for a unicorn," Officer Justin Perry mused.
Juliet was winning in the three-hour chase to a point that a helicopter was needed to keep track of her. The ordeal continued until the Boos' neighbor, Renee Pardy, remembered that Juliet and her horse were pals.
"[We] had been chasing Juliet, the unicorn for so long that she was looking for a friend," Pardy said. The neighbor was correct in her assumption because, as soon as her horse Shady showed up and walked over to the spooked pony, Juliet immediately followed her into a trailer.
Juliet, the little devil, now wears a different kind of horn because of her antics but she will probably wear her Unicorn horn when her magical presence is needed again.
It's just another interesting day for police officers.
