12 football players suspended; five also arrested
GILROY
Twelve football players were suspended and five were also arrested for possession of burglary tools or stolen property in connection with the break-in of more than 20 lockers two weeks ago, police and school administrators said.
Three juveniles and 18-year-old were arrested for possession of burglary tools and an additional juvenile was arrested for possession of stolen property, between Monday and Tuesday, police said. If convicted, the students could face up to a year in jail and fines.
On Dec. 5, soccer players and students returned to the boys locker room at the end of gym class to find that someone had rifled through their lockers, administrators said. The varsity football team had been in the area just minutes before students returned and a coach caught the 18-year-old by the lockers with burglary tools.
The incident occurred just five days after the football team capped their most successful season in history by contending in the Central Coast Section Championship game. The burglaries “cast a shadow” on this accomplishment and sully the names of the athletes who were not involved and who are good students and citizens, Athletic Director Jack Daley said following the incident.
“It lets the community down,” he said.
More details about how the investigation was conducted and the police’s lack of protocol when dealing with the arrests will be posted to the Web site and will be available in Friday’s paper.
