Football Game Arrest Being Investigated : Police: Principal of Estancia High writes letter of complaint to Newport Beach chief, urging that charges against a former star player at the school be dropped.

Police said Thursday that an internal investigation is underway in connection with the controversial arrest of an 18-year-old youth during halftime at the Estancia-Corona del Mar high school football game last Friday.

In another development, the principal of Costa Mesa’s Estancia High has written Newport Beach Police Chief Arb Campbell complaining about the arrest and asking that any charges be dropped.

The controversy involves the arrest of Ricardo Aguilar as Aguilar, a star football player for Estancia last year, stood on the sidelines talking to an Estancia coach during halftime. Two Newport Beach police officers, who said they were clearing the area near the playing field at the request of Corona del Mar High officials, arrested Aguilar on suspicion of battery on a police officer.

In the aftermath, some Estancia fans came down from the stands and jeered police. Estimates differed on how many fans were involved, but the police report said that up to 150 fans confronted the arresting officers. Police also said that many of those who taunted officers “wore gang attire.”

Some people at the game, including Estancia Principal Frank Infusino and Costa Mesa Councilman Jay Humphrey, have accused police of mishandling the incident.

In a letter mailed Monday to Chief Campbell, Infusino said he was making a “formal protest” of the police actions at the game.

“The incident began when Newport officers attempted to clear the Estancia sideline without contacting Estancia High School administrators or coaches,” Infusino said in his letter. “When (Aguilar) . . . was ordered to move, he asked why he was being singled out by the officers. According to several witnesses, the officers then made physical contact, a verbal exchange ensued and the young man was handcuffed and physically restrained. Since this occurred in full view of the Estancia fans, many of the young man’s friends ran down to the track area adjacent to the field and shouted at the officers.”

Infusino’s letter concluded by saying: “In our view, no crime was committed. Had the Estancia staff been requested to clear the sidelines of all unauthorized personnel, we would have done so without incident. Therefore, in the interests of justice, I urge that any charges brought against the young man in question be dropped.”

The arresting officers, in their report, said that Aguilar reviled them with profanity when they asked him to leave the field. The police also charged that Aguilar resisted arrest and struck one officer in the chest with his elbow.

Sgt. Andy Gonis, a spokesman for the Newport Beach police, on Thursday said police have received several complaints about the arrest at the high school game. “An investigation is under way,” Gonis said, adding that he is not sure when it will be completed.

Gonis said Newport Beach police are routinely asked by the high schools in the city to patrol during football games. He said officers were asked to clear the track and playing field area on the Estancia High side of the stadium because of gang problems in the men’s restroom on that side of the field and because Corona del Mar officials were worried about misbehavior.

Aguilar was released shortly after being arrested when he posted $500 bail.