Editor’s note: The following is the Avalon Sheriff’s Station significant incidents report for the period of March 31 to April 6, 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.
March 31
Deputies responded to Casino Way regarding a man acting suspiciously. The caller stated an adult male adult was in the area asking people for hugs and marijuana. Deputies contacted the man who stated he was only trying to be nice to people and he would not do it anymore.
April 1
• Deputies responded to a drunk disturbance call on the 100 block of Catalina Avenue. The caller stated several rental golf carts were racing around and arguing with the golf cart security guard. Deputies contacted the racers and encouraged them to return their carts and counseled them on behavior towards others. They were cooperative and apologetic.
• Deputies responded to a drunk female adult call on the 100 block of Sumner Avenue. The caller stated his wife was drunk and unable to walk. The deputies along with the fire department arrived and contacted the drunk woman. They discovered the woman was so inebriated she was unable to talk. The woman was transported to Catalina Island Medical Center for evaluation.
• Deputies responded to a fight call on the 100 block of Catalina Avenue.
The caller stated 10-15 people were fighting on the street. The deputies arrived and saw numerous people fighting and arguing on the street.
The deputies gave numerous verbal commands and flashed their lights at the brawlers telling them to stop fighting. Slowly, the crowd began to dissipate except for one male adult. He continued yelling at people in the area and challenging them all to a fight. The deputies detained the man and conducted an investigation. The deputies determined the man was drunk in public and challenging others to a fight. Ivan Hernandez Silva, of Avalon was arrested on suspicion of the charges and booked at Avalon Sheriff’s Station.
April 2
• Deputies received a petty theft report call on the 100 block of Metropole Avenue. The informant stated items were missing from his luggage. Upon contacting the victim, the deputies determined he was drunk and admitted he probably left the missing items at home.
• Deputies responded to a disturbance call involving a man and woman. The caller stated he could hear yelling and screaming coming from the area. The deputies contacted the man and woman who were extremely uncooperative.
The woman stated nothing happened, she did not need the police and slammed the door on the deputies. The man and woman refused to provide any information to the deputies.
April 3
• Deputies responded to a disturbance call on the 100 block of Sumner Avenue. The caller stated loud music was keeping him and his guests awake. Deputies responded and determined the music level was within normal levels and there was no violation.
April 4
• Deputies responded to a possible burglary in progress call on the 200 block of Sumner Avenue. The caller stated she heard noises downstairs and that she had a stalker.
The deputies checked the location and surrounding areas and determined no burglary had occurred. They did not locate anyone in the area of the residence.
• Deputies responded to a call of a woman screaming at Pebbly Beach Road. They discovered a baby seal screaming for his mommy.
The seal had come ashore and could not make its way back to the ocean. Animal rescue responded and returned the seal to its natural habitat.
April 5
• Deputies responded to an assault with a deadly weapon just occurred call. The victim stated he was hit in the head with a rock by a man. The deputies and detectives conducted an investigation and ultimately located the suspect and the alleged weapon (a rock). After investigating, they determined the victim was sitting inside his truck with his girlfriend talking.
The suspect opened the truck door and pulled the victim out of his vehicle. Once outside of the truck, the suspect struck the victim on the forehead area with a large rock. The victim began bleeding profusely from his head and the suspect fled the scene. Utilizing witness statements along with surveillance video footage, the suspect was located and booked at Avalon Sheriff’s Station. Sean Galaviz, of San Diego, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting the victim with a deadly weapon.
April 6
• Deputies responded to a possible bomb threat on the Catalina Flyer. The threat was investigated by Avalon Sheriff’s Station personnel along with Harbor Patrol. The investigation revealed the threat was not credible and there was no evidence of explosive devices on the vessel.
