5 Long Beach high school students arrested in alleged groping of 9th-grade girls on campus

5 Long Beach students arrested in alleged groping

LONG BEACH, Calif. — Authorities say five male students have been arrested on suspicion of sexual battery after two ninth-grade girls were attacked at a Long Beach high school.

Long Beach Police Lt. Ty Hatfield says one of the victims told Poly High School officials they were groped on their breasts and buttocks during a lunch break Tuesday.

The five freshman boys were arrested separately throughout the week as the investigation into the assault progressed. They have been released to their parents.

Hatfield says investigators are looking for other victims.

School district spokesman Chris Eftychiou (EFF’-tuh-hue) says three of the boys have been suspended for five days and the other two were sent to alternative schools.

None of the suspects has been identified because all are minors.

Information from: Press-Telegram, www.presstelegram.com