Pinole school janitor faces 47 felony counts of child molestation

PINOLE, Calif. (KGO) -- A man who worked as a school janitor in Pinole is facing several counts of child molestation.

Ruben Gonzalez, 60, is being held on $46 million bail.

Officials say none of the victims are connected to Gonzalez' work at the school district.

Child family services notified Pinole police of abuse allegations against Gonzalez.

"Based on the allegations we knew there were more kids in the house, so we along with them went to the house," said Pinole Police Sgt. Justin Takacs.

Gonzalez ran from the home, but officers arrested him on March 30. The West Contra Costa County School District terminated him the next day.

"All of our employees and our volunteers now have to have fingerprints run through both the state department of justice and the federal bureau of investigation," said school district employee Marcus Walton.

The district says Gonzalez passed a background check. He worked as a substitute night custodian and prior to that he was a yard supervisor at Olinda Elementary School in Richmond.

"We are sure he came into contact with students when he was a yard supervisor," Walton told ABC7 News.

Police say the four victims allege the abuse occurred between the ages of four and 17.

Gonzalez faces 47 felony charges based on the age of victims and number of assaults.

Investigators want the community to know about the case. "One that as a society we won't stand for that and that if you do it eventually you will be caught and two if there are other victims out there to come forward, that you're not alone," Takacs added.