The following is the Avalon’s Sheriff’s Stations significant incidents report for the period of Aug. 1 to Aug. 7, 2024. 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 2
- Deputies on foot patrol observed a rental golf cart driving on Front Street. The deputies contacted the stray driver and put him back on course. During the encounter the deputies asked the driver if he thought it was strange that he was the only golf cart on Front Street. He grinned, headed back to the roadway with a point well taken.
- Deputies responded to a disturbance call on Casino Way. The caller stated a man had assaulted a woman and he was following them. The deputies detained a man and woman and conducted an investigation. The woman alleged her boyfriend became upset at her for trying to buy someone a cocktail so her pushed her. Mitchell Bernardo, 67, of Cypress, was arrested for alleged spousal battery and was booked at Avalon Station.
August 3
- Deputies responded to a suspicious person on Avalon Canyon Road at 2 in the morning. They located a man matching the description given and spoke to him. The man said he was visiting the island and was looking for the bar. They kindly reminded the man it was after 2 a.m. and all the bars were closed. They escorted the man to his hotel where he called it a night.
- A sergeant on patrol saw a vehicle fail to stop for the posted stop sign at Crescent and Metropole. The man was issued a ticket for the violation.
August 4
- Deputies responded to a fight call on Catalina Avenue. The caller stated 2 men were arguing at the location and getting ready to fight. The deputies located the men who were yelling at each other. Both men displayed signs of being drunk and were unable to care for themselves. Deputies were familiar with both men and reached out to family members asking them to care for the men. They were unable to find anyone to care for the combatants and arrested both of them on suspicion of being drunk in public. Luis Tamayo, 40, of Avalon, and Julian Tejeda, 29, of Avalon, were booked at Avalon Station.
August 5
- Deputies responded to the Cabrillo Mole for a possible fight on the Catalina Express. Deputies contacted 2 women on the boat who had been separated by the crew. Detective Meyers conducted an investigation and was told both women were arguing and pushed each other. Since the battery did not occur in the presence of police, both women exercised their right to a private person’s arrest. Suspect Yen Dang, 41, of Downey, and Suspect Iris Tyler 72, of Avalon, were arrested and cited for suspicion of battery. The case is currently under investigation and video surveillance has been located.
August 6
- Deputies responded to a business disturbance on Crescent Avenue. The caller stated they were refusing service to a customer who was trying to leave in a rental golf cart. The deputies contacted all parties and told the customer the business had the right to refuse service and they were using that right.
- A deputy and a sergeant responded to a suspicious person on Crescent Avenue. The caller stated a man in a Hawaiian shirt was possibly drunk and talking to himself. They located the man walking towards the Casino and engaged him in conversation. The man told them he was an Italian comedian and was sharing his gift of humor with the beautiful people on the island. The man was reunited with his family and continued spreading his humor with the community.
National Night Out
The Avalon Sheriff’s Station celebrated National Night Out on Tuesday, August 6th. The event was an opportunity for law enforcement and fire personnel to interact with the community.
The event included presentations from Avalon Search and Rescue as well as free BBQ hot dogs and drinks.
The event was a success and would not have been possible without the generous donations from the Catalina Beverage Company and Von’s Market.
