Search continues for Atwater gang-rape suspect

A suspect wanted in connection with the gang rape of an Atwater teenager remained on the run Tuesday, the Police Department reported.

Atwater police are seeking Guillermo Rebollero in connection with a sexual attack on an 18-year-old woman April 26 at a home on Kelso Street. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Lt. Samuel Joseph said Tuesday that they believe Rebollero, a 21-year-old suspected gang member, may have fled to Mexico.

Several men with suspected ties to an Atwater gang may have been involved in the attack, but only Rebollero has been identified as a suspect, police confirmed.

Joseph said some physical evidence has been collected for analysis, but declined to elaborate.

Police said the victim met Rebollero online several weeks before the attack. She went to meet him for the first time on the night of April 25. Some time later during their date, around 1:30 a.m. the following morning, police said, the woman was talked into going to the home on Kelso Street.

Officers said she was told they were going to a party but was met by a small group of men at the home. One of them blocked the door, preventing her from leaving, police said.

Officers said the woman was sexually assaulted, but was able to escape after the men feared she had somehow managed to contact police from the home.

Rebollero has been described by police as a Latino, about 5-foot-6, 175 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He is considered dangerous and possibly armed, police said.

Rebollero pleaded guilty Nov. 17 in a felony domestic violence case and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, according to Merced Superior Court records.

This story was originally published May 12, 2015 at 12:29 PM with the headline "Search continues for Atwater gang-rape suspect."