Atwater man arrested for breaking in and rubbing women's feet in Nevada

ATWATER, Calif. (KFSN) -- An Atwater man has been arrested for allegedly breaking into homes and rubbing women's feet while they slept.

Investigators in Douglas County, Nevada, identified the suspect as 26-year-old Mark Gonzales.

Authorities said Gonzalez broke into a resort in Stateline Nevada, near Lake Tahoe, on July 2nd and 3rd.

Two women reported waking up to see the 26-year-old standing at the ends of their beds, rubbing their feet.

Authorities said both of the victims in Nevada were staying on ground-level floors.

It's believed they left their screendoors unlocked.

Investigators say this case is particularly alarming because it appears his crimes were escalating.

On Tuesday, Merced County sheriff's deputies arrested Gonzales at his Atwater home.

Gonzales was arrested for numerous crimes, including two counts of battery and burglary.

Neighbors in the North Valley said they had strange encounters with the suspect long before his arrest.

"It's scary," said Maria Nash, who Lives in Atwater. "Especially a small town. From here? I mean, you don't really expect something like that here. I know it didn't happen here, but he's from here."

The Merced County Sheriff's Office confirms Gonzales was previously arrested for trespassing in 2017 and then in 2019 for theft while on supervised release.

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