AVALON, CA – A bizarre series of events on Catalina Island led to the arrest of a couple after a stolen golf cart chase ended in a crash and exposed a child left abandoned at a rental property.
The Theft and Chase
The incident unfolded on Sunday when a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) sergeant was flagged down by a resident in Avalon. The victim reported that his golf cart—the primary mode of transportation on the island—had just been stolen.
The sergeant quickly spotted the stolen cart carrying a man and a woman. Before deputies could safely intervene, the driver lost control, causing the golf cart to crash and flip over. Authorities confirmed that no significant injuries were reported from the wreck.
DUI and Abandoned Child Discovered
Following the crash, the male driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) and grand theft of a vehicle.
However, the investigation took a darker turn when deputies looked into the couple’s background. Authorities discovered that the pair had left a young child completely unattended at a local rental property while they went on the joyride.
Charges Filed
The woman was arrested and faces serious charges, including:
- Willful cruelty to a child
- Child endangerment
The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) was called to the scene, and the child has since been safely released back to the mother. LASD officials stated that the complete case will be presented to county prosecutors for formal criminal charges.
