A Bakersfield man is free on bail after police say they found him providing medical services at his home without a license.
Neighbors say they would see several people coming to his home, but they never suspected he was acting as a doctor and those people were his patients.
"Well, it doesn't really matter to me," said Noel Valdez, who lives in the neighborhood. "Like I'm telling you, it's just my neighbors. It's not my problem. Whatever they do is their stuff."
Officers say they arrested 58-year-old Alberto Gonzalez Sunday at his home on the 5700 block of Monitor Street.
"They contacted the resident, Alberto Gonzalez, and learned that he was practicing medicine from his residence and had been doing this for three months," said Sgt. Uriel Pacheco with the Bakersfield Police Department.
Officers say people were lined up outside Gonzalez's home when they responded to a suspicious circumstances report. Police say Gonzalez claimed he is a licensed physician from another country, but he didn't have proper papers to practice in the United States. A search inside turned up a medical exam table, used syringes, prescription medication, and a gun reported as stolen.
"The Bakersfield Police Department encourages anyone who received medical services from Mr. Gonzalez to seek out medical advice from a medical practitioner," said Sgt. Pacheco.
17 News ran into Arthur Strauther on his daily walk in the neighborhood. He says he saw people at Gonzalez's house frequently, but never thought anything of it.
"No," said Strauther. "I thought the women probably lived there. I didn't know. I thought just two or three fellas, but I thought all of them had girlfriends or something."
"Everybody's gotta do what they gotta do to make money," said Thomas Murillo, who lives next door, "And, get their health care any way they can for them and their families."
Gonzalez was arrested for possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a controlled substance, and distributing prescription drugs. Detectives have contacted the District Attorney's office and the State Medical Board. They say more charges are pending.
Police urge anyone who received treatment from Gonzalez to contact them.
