Editor’s note: The following is the Avalon Sheriff’s Station significant incidents report for the week of Oct. 21 to Oct. 27, 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 21
• Deputies responded to a vandalism call at Beacon Street and Catalina Avenue. The caller stated unknown persons sprayed his front door with red costume paint.
Upon arrival the deputies observed the victim was able to remove the paint with his garden hose.
• Deputies responded to a disturbance call involving a boyfriend and girlfriend at Zane Grey Hotel.
The caller stated a male and female were arguing in one of the guest rooms. Deputies contacted the disturbing parties and determined no crime had occurred. The disturbing parties agreed to close their window and keep the noise down.
October 22
• Deputies responded to a loud music call on the 300 block of Clemente Avenue. The deputies contacted a female adult who agreed to turn down the music.
• While on patrol, deputies observed a male riding an off road dirt bike on Sumner at night without lights.
The deputies conducted a traffic stop, and noticed a strong odor of alcoholic beverage emitting from the driver. He was detained and a DUI investigation was conducted. Luis Tamayo-Quezada, 37, of Avalon, was ultimately placed under arrest on suspicion of drunk driving. He was transported and booked at Avalon Sheriff’s Station.
October 23
• Deputies received a call of a domestic violence incident on the 100 block of Chimes Tower Road. The victim stated she was having an argument with her boyfriend when he pushed her against a wall causing her to hit the back of her head.
Once inside their hotel room, the suspect hit the victim on the side of her face and pushed her outside the room. Douglas Gismondi, 55 of Laguna Beach, arrested for suspicion of spousal battery, and was booked at Avalon Sheriff’s Station.
• Deputies responded to a disturbance call on Catalina Avenue. The informant stated he was sprayed with a water hose by a woman who was upset he drove the Holiday Inn minivan down Descanso Avenue.
The disturbing party was warned and was cooperative.
• Deputies responded to Joe Machado Field regarding four males in a rental golf cart with open containers of alcohol. The deputies checked the area and were unable to locate the cart.
• Deputies were summoned to the 300 block of Clemente Avenue regarding an injured dog who was heard crying.
The deputies checked the area and were unable to locate the injured animal.
October 24
• Deputies assisted Harbor Patrol with uncooperative and assaultive males on the pier. The disturbing parties had taken a kayak without the owner’s permission and were contacted by Harbor Patrol.
While being questioned by the Harbor Patrol Officer, the suspects allegedly committed a battery against him. Michael Sulgrove, 29, of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, and Alex Ritchie, 32, of Marina Del Rey, were arrested for alleged battery on a peace officer. They were transported and booked at Avalon Sheriff’s Station.
• Deputies responded to a business disturbance at the Cabrillo Mole.
The caller stated people were arguing with workers from Big General and a fight was pending. The deputies contacted all involved parties and determined no crime had occurred.
October 26
• Deputies were contacted by several children, who came into the Sheriff’s Station, telling them a male adult was causing a problem at a local restaurant. When deputies arrived at the location, they observed the suspect acting and speaking oddly. They also recognized him from numerous contacts for being under the influence of a controlled substance.
The deputies detained the suspect and conducted an under the influence investigation. After their investigation, they arrested Christian Gonzalez, 31, of Avalon, on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance.
• Deputies received a disturbance call at Hamilton Cove. The informant on the call stated he was being yelled at by a male adult for telling him he needed to stop at the Stop Signs.
As the deputies were responding, the informant called back and cancelled his call for service.
• Deputies responded to a suspicious person call at the radio station.
The caller stated a male had set up camp behind the station and was refusing to leave. The deputies contacted the disturbing party who was cooperative and broke down camp.
October 27
• Deputies received a vandalism report call on the 100 block of Banning Road. The informant on the call stated a suspect had painted “Meth” on his front door and surrounding property.
The case is currently under investigation.
