Burglary suspects make their getaway in the Passaic River

WALLINGTON, N.J. (WABC) -- Homeowners in New Jersey returned home only to find it being ransacked by burglars.

When they were spotted, the suspects took off with valued family items.

They were caught in the act as they ran from a home invasion after the owner came in the house to find the suspects committing the crime, burglarizing the place in broad daylight.

This startling close encounter with the criminals left the owners feeling victimized.

"It's tough to have your home invaded, be burglarized and have your family walk into that. It's a very scary situation," said Ken Mika, the homeowner.

The family dog Hanna was home when the daring duo busted into the house. She barked but with a bad hind leg couldn't do much to stop the thieves.

Pictures show how badly the house was ransacked by the burglars who were looking for valuables to steal. They threw things everywhere. The house was in total disarray. But once the owner arrived they fled.

Their escape came down a path way across a busy roadway and then in a desperate act they jumped into the Passaic River at low tide.

"And you saw two heads going right below this fence here, and this is a sheer drop off," said Brian Warner, a funeral director.

Witnesses saw the suspects making their river escape.

"The K-9 Unit was able to work the perimeter here but couldn't go any deeper due to the foliage being so dense, and sharp. There's a lot of stuff that's thrown down this river bank," said Lt. Shawn Kudlacik, of the Wallington Police Department.

The whole crime has left the homeowners very shaken.

"Anger, you know, fear, a lot of the emotions that go along with that," Mika said.

Police continue to look for the suspects, but they say jumping into the Passaic River is risky business due to the thick mud, the undercurrent, and the rugged terrain.