A Pasadena man was able to foil an attempted break-in at his house on Aug. 14, 2026, thanks to his Ring camera. KTLA 5 reports that the unnamed homeowner received an alert that there was motion at his side gate, which led into his backyard.
The homeowner said that a lot of houses on his street are vacant thanks to the 2025 Eaton Fire, and he’s worked to add additional security to his home to keep his property safe from would-be intruders. It sounds like all of that paid off Friday night, when he received a text telling him that there was someone in his yard.
While the man is happy that his system worked as intended, he says he’s still scared that these burglars—or others who wish to break into his home—could come back in the future, especially after he told CBS LA how “cavalier” the men were when they arrived at his property.
Now, he’s warning others about these potential burglars and the dangers that face homeowners across the country.
The Homeowner Was Home When the Burglars Arrived
It was a scary night for a couple in Pasadena, when one homeowner’s phone alerted him that there was someone on his property. The man, who asked CBS LA if he could stay anonymous, says that four masked men pulled up to his house, walked up his driveway, and entered his backyard.
All the while, the security system was blaring warnings — alerting the homeowner and telling the four masked men to leave the property. However, that wasn’t enough to deter them, and the homeowner said he ran downstairs to the sliding glass door at the rear of his house just in time to see the men peering in the window, before his home security system finally went off.
The men went running, which was also captured by the Ring camera, and the homeowner’s wife called 911.
Nothing Was Stolen Except the Homeowner’s Peace of Mind
The man recounted what happened to CBS LA, explaining how he now felt uneasy after the incident, especially because of how brazen the would-be burglars were.
“This is the second time on this street,” he told KTLA 5, noting that most of his neighborhood was still empty thanks to the Eaton Fire, which has left him worried. “They’re coming back… A lot of vacant houses. It’s easy prey.” Easy or not, he may be right about the neighborhood being an easy target.
Even those who live in neighborhoods that haven’t been evacuated due to a natural disaster, burglaries and break-ins are woefully common. According to the home security service ADT, a burglary happens every 25 seconds. And while some places experience more frequent burglaries per capita (like Lake Charles, Louisiana), others seem to have a lower risk.
Fortunately, this homeowner seems to be doing everything he can to protect himself and his wife. Hopefully it turns out to be enough!