Editor’s note: The following is the Avalon Sheriff’s Station significant incidents report for the week of Aug. 26 to Sept. 1, 2020. 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.
August 26
• Deputies contacted a male fisherman who was fishing in a no fishing area near 1 Cabrillo Mole. The man was cooperative and left the area.
August 27
• The Sheriff Department’s Mental Evaluation Team responded to the island to assist an Avalon resident. The female resident was transported to a hospital on the mainland so she could get the help that she needed.
• Deputies responded to the Descanso Beach Club regarding a hate crime in progress. Deputies arrested Steven Hackenmueller, 44, of Apple Valley, on suspicion of committing a hate crime for threatening two males because they were a same-sex couple.
August 28
• The Los Angeles County Sheriff Department’s Special Enforcement Bureau (SWAT)/Aero Bureau came to Catalina Island and conducted training with the Search and Rescue teams. Members of the teams trained on repelling from a Sheriff’s helicopter.
August 29
• Deputies and the fire departments responded to a person passed out in the 200 block of Metropole Avenue. When the deputies and the fire departments arrived, they determined the Simi Valley man was intoxicated. Deputies arrested Austin Stanfield, 22, for suspicion of for suspicion of being drunk in public.
• Deputies responded to a rental property in the 300 block of Clarissa Avenue regarding a party with numerous people not social distancing and not wearing masks. The rental company asked the renters to vacate the property since they violated the rental contract. The renters agreed and left the property.
August 30
• Deputies received a call that two juveniles had been assaulted in the 400 block of Crescent Avenue. The 15 year old juveniles did not suffer any injuries. The suspect left the scene after the assault but deputies were able to identify him and the investigation is ongoing.
August 31
• Deputies have been conducting a stalking investigation on the island. Upon the conclusion of the investigation, the deputies arrested Stephen Dawes, 51, of Avalon, on suspicion of stalking.
The case has been filed with the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. He was arrested on a $180,000 warrant. A domestic violence restraining order was also served.
• Deputies issued an Avalon administrative citation to a man that was not wearing a face covering on the Catalina Express boat in violation of the Los Angeles County Health Order after he caused a disturbance on the boat.
September 1
• A victim reported that someone stole her pull wagon, containing a folding cart, box of sea glass and small bag in the 300 block of Catalina Avenue.
• Deputies responded to the 600 block of Crescent Avenue regarding a traffic collision. A motorist was making a turn when she struck a parked vehicle. There were no injuries and only minor damage.
Safety Note
If you receive a telephone call from someone claiming to be from the Social Security Administration and they are requesting money, gift cards, i-tune cards, or your personal information, do not provide it to the caller, immediately hang up. Scammers are claiming to be from the Social Security Administration so they can steal from you.
It does not matter what they say, hang up. If you are unsure on what to do, contacted the Avalon Sheriff’s Station.
