Main Street unicyclist charged with murder Main Street unicyclist charged with murder (December 17, 2004)

He smothered his sleeping father, police say
by Teresa C. Brown

A unicyclist, who frequently paraded up and down Main Street in Pleasanton, was arrested and charged with the murder of his father last weekend in Livermore.

Hans Aaland, 46, was booked into the Santa Rita Jail on Dec. 11, Livermore police said.

Officers, responding Saturday to a 10:30 a.m. call to a home in the 3000 block of California Street, found the body of 80-year-old Kristian Aaland in his bedroom. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Following an investigation, police said they believe the younger Aaland smothered his father while he slept.

Hans Aaland was found two hours later walking on Old First Street in Livermore. Police said Aaland admitted killing his father but did not give a motive.

In the past, the younger Aaland was frequently sighted in Pleasanton, riding his unicycle downtown.

On March 12, 2003, he was arrested at Foothill High School and charged with violating three court-imposed restraining orders, assault on a police officer with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest and trespassing on school property.

At that time, police reported that Aaland was stalking a female Foothill High student, who had obtained the restraining order.

Police spotted Aaland on campus, and he attempted to flee on his unicycle. During a brief chase, Aaland reportedly tried to strike the school's resource officer with a 4-foot-long board before being tackled and handcuffed.

The elder Aaland was born in Ulefoss, Norway, and worked at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for 26 years.

He was a member of the SHHH Club, a hearing organization. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Elizabeth Aaland, three sons and a sister.

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