UCLA Recruit Bobby San Jose Is Arrested

Bobby San Jose, an 18-year-old quarterback at Long Beach Wilson High School who had signed a letter of intent to play for UCLA next fall, was arrested Thursday and charged with offering cocaine for sale and with petty theft.

San Jose was one of seven Wilson students arrested as a result of an investigation by an undercover policewoman posing as a student at the school for the last two months. San Jose was held for several hours before being released on bail.

According to the police report, San Jose offered to sell cocaine to the undercover agent and accepted payment but had not delivered the drugs when the arrest was made. No narcotics were found on any of the students at the time of the arrest.

Wilson Principal Jack Dubois said school officials were told about the operation on Wednesday.

The students were called to the school’s office at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, given suspension notices, arrested, handcuffed and taken away in squad cars. Police then stopped at nearby Brooks College to arrest two women there and made one more stop to arrest two men who allegedly were supplying the drugs.

UCLA Coach Terry Donahue, who had heard about the arrest from the Wilson football coach, Al Taylor, issued this statement: “At this time we are not familiar with any of the circumstances surrounding the situation. Until such time as the facts become clear, we feel it would be inappropriate to comment on the situation.”

Taylor said he had no idea that San Jose might be involved in something like this, or at least, “Not until the shocking events at school today.”

Taylor said there were no other football players involved.

Asked for his impressions of San Jose, Taylor said: “He’s an outstanding athlete, a very good team leader and a hard worker. He sort of lived out of my football office. He was very one-minded toward getting a scholarship. He had been a star since junior high. He’s not Joe Cool or Mr. Popular (around school), but he was well-liked by his teammates.”

San Jose, 6-3, 180, was a three-year starter at Wilson and had passed for more than 2,500 yards. He was an all-conference selection as a junior and as a senior.

San Jose also was a three-year starting guard for the basketball team.