The following is the Avalon’s Sheriff’s Stations significant incidents report for the period of June 13 to June 19, 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.
June 13
- Deputies worked foot beats on Crescent Avenue to ensure the safety and security of the public, and increased traffic enforcement near Sumner Avenue and Beacon Street.
- Deputies responded to the 100 block of Catalina Avenue regarding an individual creating a disturbance with employees. They contacted the individual described in the call. He appeared to be extremely inebriated and uncooperative. After unsuccessfully trying to locate a friend or family member to care for him, and determining he was unable to care for himself, Carlos Ramirez, 24 of Los Angeles was arrested on suspicion of Public Intoxication.
June 14
- Deputy personnel concentrated on traffic enforcement on Pebbly Beach Road using radar-laser speed detector (Lidar).
June 15
- Deputies responded to the 100 block of Whittley Avenue regarding an individual climbing into a hotel room. After determining the individual did not belong in the room, he was detained. During the detention, it was discovered that Kevin Gozalez, 23 of Downey was wanted on an unrelated Drunk Driving arrest warrant. He was arrested for the warrant and received a Sheriff’s boat ride over town to LA County Jail until he is transported to court.
- A sergeant initiated a traffic stop near the intersection of Tremont Avenue and Clarissa Avenue of a vehicle with two occupants because he observed several traffic violations. When he approached the vehicle, the passenger immediately fell to the ground. When he contacted the driver, he noticed the driver had slurred and mumbled speech, and the smell of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his person. The sergeant initiated a driving while under the influence of alcohol (DUI) investigation. After completing the investigation, the juvenile driver was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol. Due to the passenger’s inebriated state, and being unable to care for herself, nor having anyone to care for her, Penelope Mugar, 20 of Orange was arrested on suspicion of Public Intoxication.
June 16
- Deputy personnel concentrated on traffic enforcement on Pebbly Beach Road using radar-laser speed detector (Lidar).
June 17
- Deputy personnel concentrated on traffic and pedestrian enforcement on Cresent Avenue.
June 18
- Deputy Duong and the Captain responded to 605 Crescent Avenue “The Steamer Trunk” regarding a possible shoplifting call. Even before we arrived clear pictures of two juveniles had been sent out via the Facebook Discussion Page and the Avalon community swung into action to locate and track them. The two juveniles were last seen getting on a parasailing boat. Deputy Duong went to the Green Pier and waited for them to return. Once they returned, the juveniles appeared to immediately know why Deputy Duong was waiting on the pier. Fortunately, the Juvenile’s parents were also waiting for their “little angels” on the pier. Deputy Duong spoke to the parents and the juveniles. He told me he could sense the rage in the parents’ tone and body language, and from his personal experience of being raised in a similar culture, he was sure the rest of the Carnival Cruise would be memorable for the whole family. The stolen items were returned to The Steamer Trunk. The proprietor was very happy to get the stolen items returned and chose not to press criminal charges.
Avalon Sheriffs love to see the community using social media to help the community prevent and reduce crime. We especially like the fact that we were also notified of the situation with a quick phone call to the station. When we have someone on the island who you believe is committing a theft or any crime, please call us as soon as possible.
- Deputies responded to the 100 block of Sumner Avenue regarding a disturbing the peace call.
When deputies arrived, they noticed a male laying on the ground. The male was either unable to or refused to communicate with the deputies. After determining he was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage and unable to care for himself, Eber Herrera, 41 of Los Angeles was arrested on suspicion of Public Intoxication.
June 19
- Deputies responded to a diver experiencing a medical emergency at the Dive Park. The diver was treated within a minute of the call into dispatch by medical personnel and transported to Catalina Island Health for further treatment.
- Deputies worked foot beats on Crescent Avenue to ensure the safety and security of the public, and increased traffic enforcement near Sumner Avenue and Beacon Street.
4th of July Safety Advisory
We are looking forward to another fantastic 4th of July on the island this year.
With the 4th of July less than two weeks away, please be advised that throwing water ballons or spraying any liquids, such as a “squirt gun” or water gun” in public areas of Avalon is now illegal and will be enforced. The city of Avalon enacted City Ordinance 1218-24 on May 21, 2024.
We respectfully request the community refrain from throwing water balloons or spraying any liquids into the air during this year’s 4th of July celebrations.
Thank you.