Homeless Man Arrested for Bath Crime Spree

Nathan J. Gonzales charged with burglary, larceny, and making terroristic threats

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:08am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered glass door, the jagged edges and cracked surface conveying a sense of sudden violence and disruption.A shattered glass door serves as a stark reminder of the property crimes that can disrupt small-town life.Hornell Today

A 38-year-old homeless man named Nathan J. Gonzales was arrested in Bath, New York for a series of crimes over a two-day period in late March 2026, including breaking into a pizza shop, attempting to steal from vehicles, and shoplifting from a Dollar General store. Gonzales was charged with burglary, criminal mischief, petit larceny, and making a terroristic threat.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of homelessness and mental health issues in small upstate New York communities, where property crimes and public disturbances can have an outsized impact on local businesses and residents' sense of safety.

The details

According to police, on March 26, 2026, Gonzales smashed the glass door of Rico's Pizza, entered the building, and stole multiple items. He also attempted to steal from unlocked vehicles in the area. Later that day, Gonzales was caught on camera stealing beer from a Dollar General store, and when he returned a second time, employees called the police and he was arrested. As Gonzales was being released from jail, he began making threatening statements, leading to an additional charge of making a terroristic threat.

  • On March 25, 2026, Gonzales had been arrested by New York State Police in Hornell for assault and criminal mischief.
  • On March 25, 2026, Bath Police officers located Gonzales walking on Rumsey Street and took him to a local hospital for evaluation.
  • On March 26, 2026 at approximately 7:18 a.m., a passerby called 911 to report the glass door at Rico's Pizza had been smashed.
  • On March 26, 2026 at approximately 4:35 a.m., surveillance footage showed Gonzales in the area of Rico's Pizza.
  • On March 26, 2026 at approximately 10:28 a.m., a Steuben County Sheriff's Deputy responded to Dollar General for a larceny report involving Gonzales.

The players

Nathan J. Gonzales

A 38-year-old homeless man who was arrested for a series of crimes in Bath, New York, including burglary, larceny, and making terroristic threats.

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What’s next

Gonzales is being held in Steuben County Jail with the opportunity to post bail. The judge will determine if he will be released on bail or remain in custody.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of addressing homelessness and mental health issues in small communities, where property crimes and public disturbances can have a significant impact on local businesses and residents' sense of safety. Policymakers and community leaders will likely need to consider more comprehensive approaches to supporting vulnerable populations and preventing repeat offenses.