Editor’s note: The following is the Avalon Sheriff’s Station significant incidents report for the week of Oct. 14, 2021 to Oct. 20, 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.
October 14
• Deputies were contacted regarding a petty theft. The victim stated a wheelchair with red flames was stolen from Sumner Avenue. Deputies checked the surrounding areas and were unable to locate the stolen chair. A report was written and deputies checked the city in hopes of locating the wheelchair and returning it to the victim.
• Deputies responded to a disturbance call on the beach near Luau Larry’s. The caller stated a male and female were arguing on the beach and possibly drunk. The deputies contacted both parties and determined they were having a verbal argument only. There was no evidence of a crime at the location.
• Approximately four hours after handling the stolen wheelchair incident, deputies were re-contacted by the victim. The victim advised deputies he knew the whereabouts of the stolen wheelchair. The deputies contacted the suspect who was apologetic and remorseful. The suspect believed the wheelchair was discarded by the owner due to it being left by the trash can. The wheelchair was recovered and returned to the owner.
October 15
• Deputies responded to a loud music disturbance call on the 300 block of Wrigley Terrace Road. Deputies did not hear any loud music when they arrived and contacted a resident at the location. The resident stated he was probably talking too loud on the phone and there is a continual issue with his neighbor. There was no evidence of loud music or any crime at the location.
October 16
• Deputies were dispatched to the 100 block of Sumner Avenue regarding a fight inside a bar. Deputies contacted a male who was having difficulty standing and was swaying back and forth. His eyes were bloodshot, droopy, and had a strong odor of alcoholic beverage emitting from his person. Deputies were also told the suspect punched two holes in the wall while inside the bar. After further investigation, Christopher Alcala, 23, of Avalon, was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct and vandalism.
• Deputies responded to the 200 block of Crescent Avenue regarding a business disturbance. The caller stated a guest was being rude to staff. Deputies contacted the disturbing party and recognized her from prior calls for service. They counseled her regarding her behavior and she left the location.
• Deputies were contacted at the Sheriff’s Station by parents who were having a disagreement over the custody of their children. Deputies spoke to both parents and told them to abide by the current custody agreement they received from the court.
October 17
• Deputies and the Fire Departments responded to the Green Pleasure Pier regarding a person screaming for help. It was determined a male adult had fallen into the water while attempting to get into his boat. He was assisted by the Fire Departments and did not appear injured.
October 18
• Deputies responded to Las Casitas regarding a female transient adult sleeping on a couch on the rear porch of one of the units. When the deputies arrived, they saw the suspect sleeping on a couch and she appeared dirty and disheveled. The deputies recognized the suspect as a transient who had been warned and personally served a “Letter of Agency” which prohibits her from entering any Catalina Island Company’s properties. Based on the above information, Katherine Moreno, 54, of Irvine, was arrested and booked at Avalon Sheriff’s Station on suspicion of trespassing.
• Information was given to Avalon Sheriff’s Station regarding possible stolen bicycle parts on Dump Road in the city of Avalon. Deputies responded to the location, where they observed a hole in the fence.
As they walked through the hole in the fence, they observed a male on the dirt trail. He was speaking rapidly in Spanish and was detained for further investigation. While being searched for any weapons, they found a black plastic bindle in his right front pocket which contained a white crystal like substance resembling methamphetamine. Cesar Avila, 31, of Avalon, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and was booked at Avalon Sheriff’s Station.
October 20
• A sergeant on patrol observed a female adult driving a golf cart on Crescent Avenue. She was driving on Crescent Avenue and nearly hit the Sheriff’s Jeep at Sumner Avenue. The suspect then ran a stop sign and ran over the bumpy dividers in front of Vons Market.
The sergeant conducted a traffic stop and conducted a DUI investigation. His investigation determined the suspect was driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Silver Friedline, 27, of Pasadena, was arrested and booked at Avalon Sheriff’s Station on suspicion of DUI.
• Deputies responded to the Holiday Inn regarding a male yelling at vehicles driving by the location. The caller recognized the disturbing party as a repeat offender and local resident. Deputies contacted the disturbing party and counseled him regarding his behavior.
• Deputies responded to the 200 block of Metropole Avenue, The Catalina Islander, regarding a hit and run call. A witness observed a male driver accelerate forward from a stopped position, over the sidewalk, and crash into the double entry doors with the golf cart bumper.
Before fleeing the location, the driver said his name was “Erik” and provided a phone number. The investigating deputy called the phone number but there was no answer. Detectives will be following up on this case.
