Pantless man accused of breaking into San Mateo home

A 38-year-old man in San Mateo was arrested after breaking into a home in the area, sans-pants, police said. A 38-year-old man in San Mateo was arrested after breaking into a home in the area, sans-pants, police said. Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close Pantless man accused of breaking into San Mateo home 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

A 38-year-old man naked from the waist-down, save a pair of shoes, was arrested after he broke into a San Mateo home and tried to beat up its owner, police said Monday.

Rodny Hernandez, a transient who lives in San Mateo, was arrested on suspicion of four counts, including burglary and battery, and booked into San Mateo County jail, police said. He was held under $50,000 bail, records show.

Hernandez is accused of breaking into a house on the 100 block of N. Railroad Avenue during the early-morning hours on Monday. He was wearing only a t-shirt, police said.

Police said they responded to a call around 12:40 a.m. of a pantless man in a backyard. The suspect attempted to get away from police by climbing the backyard’s fence, police said.

A nearby resident then chased the man, leading to a physical confrontation in front of a home in the area, police said. Hernandez was detained and arrested there without more of a struggle, police said.

Michael Bodley is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @michael_bodley