Editor’s note:
The following is the Avalon Sheriff’s Station significant incidents report for the period of July 28 to Aug. 3, 2022.
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.
July 28
• Deputies responded to a suspicious person call at the helipad. The caller stated a male adult was riding a bicycle between the rotors of a helicopter. The detective and sergeant located the man at the Casino and engaged him in conversation. They noticed something suspicious about the man and conducted an investigation. Ralph Hess, of San Bernardino, was arrested on an outstanding warrant from San Bernardino County. The warrant was for suspected arson in the amount of $250,000. The man was transported via Sheriff’s Boat to awaiting deputies.
• Deputies responded to the 300 block of East Whittley Avenue on a keep the peace call. The garlic guy requested deputies stand by while he removed his personal items from his rental unit. The deputies assisted the man by carrying his belongings and transporting them from the location.
• Deputies responded to the Green Pleasure Pier regarding a drunk female at the location who was afraid to go on her boat. The deputies contacted the female who began cursing at them. Suspect Lisa Bird, 61, of Laguna Beach, was arrested for allegedly being drunk in public and was booked at Avalon Sheriff’s Station.
July 29
• Deputies responded to the 100 block of Metropole Avenue regarding a suspicious person. The caller stated a man was standing in front of vehicles and screaming at them. The deputies arrived and observed the man yelling at customers inside a local store. The deputies escorted the angry man outside and advised him of the dangers his irrational behavior could cause. The man apologized and left the location.
• Deputies responded to Pebbly Beach Road regarding a traffic collision. The caller advised a golf cart had gone off the road and into the rocks. The deputies conducted a traffic investigation and determined the driver of the golf cart was enjoying the beauty of the Catalina Island coastline. She wanted to get her vehicle as close to the blue ocean as possible and when it was time to park she missed the brakes and drove into the rocks.
• Deputies were contacted at the Sheriff’s Station by an informant who stated she had located a stolen vehicle. The deputies responded to a parking lot where the stolen vehicle was parked. The deputies looked inside and saw a man sleeping inside the vehicle. The deputies detained the man and conducted an investigation. During the investigation, the man provided several reasons for having possession of the vehicle with none of them making any sense. Jason Ali, of Henderson, Nevada, was arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft and booked at Avalon Sheriff’s Station.
• Deputies responded to a suspicious person call on the 200 block of Crescent Avenue. The caller stated the “Garlic Guy” was making a mess in the boiler room at the location. The deputies observed some minor vandalism however the owner was non desirous of any police action. The deputies checked the area and were unable to locate the disturbing party.
• Deputies received another call for service at the same location regarding the “Garlic Guy.” This call was approximately two hours later. The deputies located the disturbing party and detained him to conduct an investigation. The deputies arrested Patrick Filice, of Avalon, on suspicion of being under the influence of a stimulant and arrested him. He was booked at Avalon Sheriff’s Station.
• Deputies responded to a disturbance call at Chimes Tower. The caller stated he saw juveniles at the location trying to ring the bell. The deputies checked the location and found no sign of entry. They did locate a juvenile driving from the location in a golf cart. The juvenile was cited for being an unlicensed driver and will appear in court at a later date.
July 30
Deputies responded to the Cabrillo Mole regarding a drunk male who was stripping at Gate #4. Deputies arrived and were advised the show was over and the performer staggered away toward Crescent Avenue. While searching for the man the deputies were advised by dispatch of a man sitting in the sand who appeared drunk. The deputies contacted the man and determined it was the same person they were attempting to locate. Dennis Castillo, of Hawthorne, was detained and arrested on suspicion of being drunk in public. He was booked at Avalon Sheriff’s Station.
• Deputies responded to the 100 block of Sumner Avenue regarding a loud music disturbance.
This is an ongoing issue and the informant was upset over live music at the location. Deputies responded and determined the music was within current Avalon guidelines.
• Deputies responded to Descanso Beach regarding a juvenile disturbance call. The informant stated a group of juvies tried to break into the bar at the location. The deputies located the kids and conducted an investigation. They determined the juveniles actions did not rise to that of a crime but was unacceptable behavior. The deputies contacted the parents of each child and had them pick them up.
August 1
• Deputies and Baywatch responded to Shark Harbor regarding a female adult who was stung by a sting ray. The woman was treated by paramedics at the scene and advised to do the sting ray shuffle when entering shallow waters.
August 2
• Deputies responded to a disturbance at the basketball court. The caller stated 10 people were being loud on the court. Deputies arrived and contacted the ballers. They asked them to tone down their competitive juices as well as their music. The athletes were receptive and resumed battle on the court.
August 3
• A sergeant was flagged down regarding a drunk male adult reportedly yelling at his girlfriend near Crescent Avenue and Metropole Avenue.
The sergeant arrived and observed the drunk man yelling at his girlfriend and another couple who was standing nearby.
The man was having difficulty standing and was slurring his words.
The sergeant requested deputies to his location to assist him. The deputies arrived and spoke to all involved parties.
It was determined the man was extremely intoxicated and unable to care for himself. The couple at the location observed the man yelling at his girlfriend and stayed nearby to make sure he did not assault her. Frederick Grathwohl, of Sherman Oaks, was arrested on suspicion of being drunk in public and booked at Avalon Sheriff’s Station.
