The following is the Avalon’s Sheriff’s Stations significant incidents report for the period of Dec. 7 to Dec. 13, 2023.
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,
December 7
- Deputies conducted a traffic enforcement stop at Sumner and Beacon on a driver who failed to stop at the stop sign. The driver was issued a citation and advised what a complete stop meant and not a California Roller.
December 8
- Deputies were contacted at the Sheriff’s Station by a resident who stated her vehicle was vandalized. The victim stated she left her vehicle parked in the Plaza parking lot for 2 days. When she returned her vehicle’s windshield wipers and side mirrors were broken off and missing. The case is currently under investigation.
- Deputies responded to a stolen golf cart on Marilla Ave. The victim stated his golf cart was stolen from in front of his house and he had located it. The deputies conducted a thorough investigation, obtained video evidence and were able to identify a suspect. The suspect in the vehicle theft was also the named suspect in a felony vandalism on the island. Avalon Station personnel began actively looking for the suspect.
- A sergeant on patrol located a suspected car thief sitting in the parking lot at the golf course. He immediately detained the suspect, placed him in handcuffs and requested deputies to respond to his location. Luis Gutierrez, 36, of Avalon, was arrested on suspicion of Vehicle Theft, Vandalism, and trespassing. He was transported and booked at Avalon Station.
December 9
- Deputies responded to a disturbance call at a hotel on Crescent Ave. The caller stated he received 2 phone calls from a female guest asking to have her boyfriend removed from the hotel room.
The deputies contacted the feuding couple and determined no crime had been committed. The man and woman had both been tipping back a few cold ones and the man realized it was in his best interest to find another room. The man left to enjoy a peaceful night without confrontation or bickering.
December 10
- Deputies on patrol conducted a traffic enforcement stop at Sumner and Beacon. They observed a man driving a vehicle who failed to stop at the posted stop sign. The man was issued a citation for the above violation.
December 11
- Deputies on patrol observed a man riding his motorcycle without a helmet. The man was issued a citation and warned of the potential dangers to his head if he were involved in a collision.
- Deputies responded to the 100 block of Sumner Avenue regarding a possible disturbance call. The caller stated she was approached by a group of men the night before and she was afraid of them.
The woman did not know the men and stated she did not speak to anyone. The woman said she was scared because she was visiting the island alone and wanted to go home to her husband.
The woman could not identify the men and could not provide deputies any further information. A deputy drove the woman to her departing boat and ensured she was safe.
There was no evidence of any crime.
December 12
- Deputies responded to a business on Crescent Avenue regarding a disturbance call. The caller (a store employee) said she was having a dispute with a customer over a shirt that was purchased. The customer purchased a marked down, final sale shirt. The customer left the location and returned a short time later complaining the shirt had a small hole. The customer wanted a refund for the damaged shirt and was upset the store would not provide her a refund. The deputy advised the unhappy customer the issue was not criminal in nature and was civil. The woman claimed the store and deputy were involved a conspiracy to sell her damaged products. The deputy kindly asked the woman to grab her holey shirt and enjoy the rest of her cruise.
- Deputies responded to a petty theft in progress at Von’s. The caller stated a man in a white sweat suit had walked out the store without paying for the items. The man realizing he was on an island, surrounded by water with no place to go returned to the store and promptly paid his debt.
December 13
- Deputies responded to Float 5 for a possible disturbance on the cruise ship. They contacted the cruise ship security who stated they were escorting a man off the boat for a disturbance that occurred in international waters. The deputies stood by as the ex-passenger purchased a ticket for the Cat Express.
