Underage Drinking at Cheshire High School

The latest arrests for underage drinking at Cheshire High School came Friday before the football game between the Rams and Notre Dame. "Football games are a source of headaches," said Sgt. Kevin O'Donnell.

Matthew Yaqoob, 18, of 34 Grove St., was charged with possession of alcohol by a minor after police conducted a search at the high school around 6:40 p.m. on Friday. Two other juveniles, whose names weren't released, were also charged, according to Cheshire police.

O'Donnell said the juveniles were found in a car at the north end of the building. "Three minors were found in possession of alcohol in the faculty parking lot," the police report states. 

Police department spokesman Lt. James Fasano, said School Resource Officer Lorin Webber attends school events and the bicyle patrol is on duty at the football games. 

"We patrol to make sure anyone under 21 is not drinking," Fasano said. "I'm glad they were found before they drove," he said about Friday's arrest.

"It will take the faculty and parents," to prevent further incidents, O'Donnell said. He said he's concerned about parents dropping their children off unsupervised at the school. "They say 'we'll see you at 10. We'll pick you up at McDonalds.'" Parents may not be aware of who their children are meeting, he said, or what they'll be doing during the several hours they are expected to be at a football game. 

"Every year it flairs up, and these incidents are dealt with," O'Donnell said. The number of prior underage drinking charges at Cheshire football games wasn't immediately available.