El Cerrito police mentioned Thursday they count on to make “a number of arrests” following an investigation into two years of alleged hazing within the metropolis’s highschool soccer program.
The El Cerrito Police Division mentioned in a information launch that it had obtained a report of alleged bullying and hazing at El Cerrito Excessive College on Oct. 2. By its subsequent investigation, which included interviews with witnesses and college employees and the invention of video proof, the division mentioned it had recognized 22 present and former college students who’re suspected of committing “battery, sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, dissuading a sufferer, conspiracy, and stalking.”
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The abuse had occurred between September 2024 and October 2026, the division mentioned within the launch. The investigation stays lively, and detectives proceed to guage proof.
In response to the allegations, the West Contra Costa Unified College District suspended the Gauchos soccer program for the remainder of the 2026 season. The college district additionally mentioned it’s conducting its personal investigation underneath Title IX.
“No youngster ought to ever expertise what our college students have described,” mentioned WCCUSD Superintendent Cheryl Cotton mentioned in an announcement. “Whereas we have now labored to give attention to accountability for the actions of particular person gamers up till this level, new data has led to new choices. We should now make the very robust name to instantly droop the El Cerrito Excessive soccer program with a view to stop any additional hurt and restore a secure studying atmosphere for our college students.”
El Cerrito police Capt. Lauren Caputo declined to supply additional particulars in a cellphone name with SFGATE on Thursday morning, saying that as a result of the investigation concerned juvenile victims, he was prohibited from discussing the case additional.
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It is the newest in an eventful few years for the El Cerrito soccer staff. In 2024, it forfeited six video games for utilizing ineligible gamers, which finally led to move coach Jacob Rincon’s ouster. Final 12 months, underneath new head coach Tim Johnson, the Gauchos received a California Worldwide Federation state championship within the sport, going 13-2 and taking dwelling the varsity’s first state title.
The Gauchos had gone 6-3 within the 2026 season thus far and had their season finale scheduled for Friday evening at De Anza Excessive College in El Sobrante earlier than the beginning of the North Coast Part playoffs subsequent week.
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This text initially printed at El Cerrito police count on to make ‘a number of arrests’ over HS soccer hazing.