San Diego dog brings toys to intruder during home break-in, video shows

The homeowners watched the break-in unfold on their phones. Their golden retriever saw a potential playmate.

A San Diego homeowner expected his dog to sound the alarm when an intruder broke into his family home. Instead, security video shows the friendly golden retriever inviting the alleged burglar to play.

The break-in happened earlier this month at a home in Sherman Heights, near the corner of 20th and J streets. According to the homeowner, Dante Rowley, he and his family watched in real time through their home security cameras as a man entered their house and remained inside for about 30 minutes.

Footage from Rowley's six-camera system shows the suspect using a ladder that was stored behind a shed to reach an open second-story window and climb inside the home.

"We just watched it all happen from my phone," Rowley said.

Once inside, the intruder removed his shoes and shirt, sat on a bench in the foyer and helped himself to food from the fridge, according to Rowley. Security video shows the suspect eating yogurt, turkey and cheese before eventually lying down for a nap.

But what concerned Rowley most was not the food or the trespassing.

"The dogs, we just wanted to make sure they were safe," he said.

Inside the house were two of the family's three dogs: Oli, a long-haired dachshund, and Nash, a 90-pound golden retriever.

Rather than acting as a guard dog, Nash appeared eager to make a new friend.

Security footage shows the golden retriever approaching the suspect and bringing him toys at least three times while he was inside the home. At one point, the suspect appears to interact with Nash, who then returns with another toy.

"Nash is not the greatest guard dog," Rowley said. "We thought that he would be barking at people and he did the exact opposite."

Even after police arrived, Nash remained focused on playtime. Video shows the dog greeting responding officers at the front door with yet another toy.

According to Rowley, the suspect attempted to escape through a first-floor bathroom window when officers entered the home. Police caught him in the backyard, where he was taken into custody.

Video from the scene shows officers ordering the suspect to stop before placing him in handcuffs.

"We just hope he gets some help honestly," Rowley said in response to the incident.

The suspect has been charged with burglary and also had outstanding warrants or charges related to unrelated incidents, according to Rowley.

As for Nash, Rowley joked that the friendly golden retriever is still "in the doghouse" for his lack of guard dog instincts.

This story originally appeared on NBCSanDiego.com.