Editor’s note: The following is the Avalon Sheriff’s Station significant incidents report for the week of Aug. 19 to Aug. 25, 2020. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Many people who are arrested do not get prosecuted in the first place and many who are prosecuted do not get convicted.
August 19
• Deputies were at 1 Casino Way when they saw three juveniles from Avalon smoking marijuana. Deputies issued all three juveniles citations for smoking marijuana and curfew violations. The juveniles were also issued administrative citations for not wearing face coverings when around others. They were released to their parents.
• Deputies are investigating a threat that was made on a social media website. A suspect posted a threat to a victim. The investigation is ongoing.
August 20
• Deputies issued an Avalon administrative citation to a woman in the 200 block of Sumner Avenue that was not wearing a face covering in violation of the Los Angeles County Health Order. Deputies arrested the same woman, identified as Nichole Sauder, 52, of San Clemente, on suspicion of being drunk in public (California Penal Code 647(f)).
August 21
• Deputies were called to the Catalina Express regarding a group of people that were on the boat refusing to wear face coverings, and were causing a disturbance.
When the disturbing party got off the boat, a male resident from Covina immediately started punching one of the Catalina Express employees.
Other employees and deputies were able to subdue the suspect and he was taken into custody on suspicion of assaulting the employee (California Penal Code 242). The suspect was booked at the Avalon Sheriff’s Station. He was identified as Cesar Mendiaz-Santos, 27, of Covina.
The same gentleman was also issued a citation for not wearing a face covering in violation of the Los Angeles county Health Order.
August 22
• An informant came into the Avalon Sheriff’s Station and turned in found methamphetamine. The narcotics were found in the 300 block of Clemente Avenue.
August 23
• Deputies and Baywatch responded to a boat fire off of Long Point. A 47-foot power vessel had smoke coming from the engine compartment. Five people had been removed from the boat by a Good Samaritan.
The cause of the fire appears to be electrical. There were no injuries.
• Deputies stopped a vehicle that a juvenile from North Hills was driving for several vehicle code violations. Deputies issued a citation to the driver of the golf cart for driving without a license, possession of alcohol, possession of marijuana, and curfew violation. A second juvenile from Northridge was issued a citation for a curfew violation.
The juveniles were released to their parents.
August 24
• Deputies were notified that a female Avalon resident tried to assault a victim in the 100 block of Sumner Avenue. Deputies wrote a police report and the incident is under investigation.
August 25
• An Avalon resident reported someone stole the catalytic converter from his vehicle when he was in the city of Lakewood. Avalon deputies wrote a police report and the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station will be conducting the investigation.
Safety Note
Assaulting someone that asks you to wear a face covering is unacceptable. You will be arrested, have to appear in court, and have to pay court fees. Please wear a face covering and help us keep our Catalina Express and island open.
