PORTAGE COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) – A Portage County family caught several suspected thieves breaking into their home on their doorbell camera while they were at the county fair over the weekend.

Dan Dowling received several notifications from his Ring camera system early Saturday evening while his family was at the Portage County Fair.

It is their family tradition to show their animals at the annual fair.

“My wife and I attended the 4-H Fair every year as children, and it’s wonderful that we can pass that on to our children,” Dowling said.

At first, he didn’t think anything unusual was happening when he received notifications from his home security system.

“Normally the chickens trigger it randomly,” Dowling said.

Dowling said it was actually thieves who broke into his house.

“They went to the front door and knocked on the windows to see if anyone was home,” Dowling said. “Then they went around the back of the house, knocked on the windows and tried to open the door.”

He said jewelry and some small valuables were stolen.

Dowling has now taken additional security measures.

“I believe they saw an empty driveway with a house set back and no close neighbors,” Dowling said. “In my opinion, it was a crime of opportunity.”

Despite this moment, it did not dampen his optimism.

“For the most part, I feel like people work hard. They get what they deserve and don’t try to earn more,” Dowling said.

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