Editor’s note: The following is the Avalon Sheriff’s Station significant incidents report for the week of March 24, 2021 to March 30, 2021. 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.
March 24
• Deputies on patrol conducted a traffic stop on Pebbly Beach Road of a vehicle for vehicle code violations. The driver had a suspended license and was cited and released for misdemeanor charge of driving on a suspended license.
March 25
• Deputies conducted high visibility patrol. There were no incidents to report.
March 26
• Deputies responded to Casino Way regarding a traffic collision involving a truck and a golf cart. The cause of the collision was unsafe backing. There were no injuries.
March 27
• Deputies along with the Fire Departments responded to Whittley Avenue and Las Lomas Drive regarding a traffic collision involving three golf carts.
The cause of the collision is still under investigation. Three people sustained injuries and were treated on the scene by paramedics.
• Deputies responded to the 600 block of Crescent Avenue regarding a business dispute of a patron not willing to pay for a golf cart rental. The dispute was resolved and the patron ultimately paid.
• Deputies responded to the 200 block of Crescent Avenue regarding a domestic violence allegation. The parties were contacted but there was no physical contact, nor crime between the parties. One of the parties agreed to stay at another hotel for the night.
• Deputies responded to the 400 block of Crescent Avenue regarding a verbal argument between two females. The parties who do not know each other were contacted and it was determined to only be a verbal exchange.
• Deputies responded to reports of loud music in the 200 block of Clarissa Avenue and also at the Mt. Ada Cross. The disturbing parties were contacted and music was turned off.
March 28
• Deputies responded to the Blue Water Grill regarding a call of four individuals who were in possession of marijuana and rolling it at the table of the restaurant after being told to stop by the employees. The individuals were compliant after being contacted by deputies.
• Deputies on responded to the 100 block of Pebbly Beach Road after being called by a person who located a small child. Shortly after the deputies arrived the mother was reunited with the child.
• Deputies responded to reports of loud music in the 200 block of Whittley Avenue. The disturbing party and host was contacted, warned and complied to shut down the party.
March 29
• Deputies responded to the 100 block of Clarissa Avenue regarding a male who called the rental agent on four occasions and was irate about a dispute. During the calls, the male threatened the agent with profanity and threats to kill her. The investigation is ongoing. The male lives out of the state.
• Deputies responded to the 300 block of Descanso Avenue regarding a domestic violence call and made contact with the parties. Upon further investigation it was determined that the involved parties were a married couple of 30 years. The incident involved physical violence by the male. Luis Bastida, 49, of Avalon, was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence without injury.
March 30
• Deputies responded to the area of Descanso Beach Club following a call for service involving two adult females and two minor children. Deputies observed the parties traveling in a golf cart. Deputies conducted a traffic stop and noticed that driver was extremely intoxicated. The driver, Chelsea Hoffman, 29, of West Islip, New York, was arrested on suspicion of DUI following a preliminary check of her BAC. The driver’s infant and small child were traveling with her and unrestrained and she Chelsea Hoffman was additionally arrested on suspicion of felony Child Endangerment. The driver’s sister was a passenger and also extremely intoxicated. Brittany Hoffman, 26, of Long Beach, was apparently unable to care for herself and was arrested on suspicion of being drunk in public. The children were transported to the mainland on the Sheriff’s safe boat by deputies and released to a relative.
Safety Note – Jaywalking
With the increase of tourism vehicle traffic, it is important that we all comply with the law. In California, jaywalking refers to a Traffic offense where a pedestrian crosses a street in the area that has no marked crosswalk or intersection. This offense is illegal under the California Vehicle Code 21955 and is punishable by a fine.
