Atherton police arrested a 31-year-old San Francisco man for breaking into, and taking items from, a home's garage, where homeowners said they saw him watching TV, according to a police department bulletin Tuesday, Dec. 24.

At about 3:52 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 23, Atherton police responded to a report that a man was inside a resident's garage on Jennings Lane, near Middlefield Road.

When officers arrived, the man ducked down and appeared to reach for something, police said. He complied when officers ordered him to raise his hands. Baseball bats and a hatchet were found near the man, according to police.

Police searched the rest of the property and determined that the man had ransacked the garage and a second garage on the property. He collected wine, a gaming system, a lantern, a blanket and other items, police said.

Police also discovered that he was on probation for vehicle theft and vandalism in San Francisco County.

The man was booked into San Mateo County Jail for burglary and trespassing.

This is the 20th residential burglary in town this year, according to the police department. In 2018, there were 26, a significant majority of which occurred near the end of the year.

Editor's note: It is The Almanac's policy to withhold the names of those arrested for most crimes until the District Attorney's Office has determined that there is sufficient evidence to file charges in the case.

-