Lana the 5-year-old German shepherd didn't back down when she came face-to-face with an armed burglar earlier this month at her family's home northeast of downtown Los Angeles.

Lana confronted the burglar Dec. 21 as he was about the leave the home in the 4900 block of Twinning Street in the El Sereno area, just as family members returned to the house. Security cameras captured the man leaving through the house's back door when Lana pops out from behind a corner.

The surprised burglar pointed his handgun at the dog during a brief standoff before running off.

The homeowner said she was concerned that someone might be in the house when she noticed a mess inside the residence.

"I walk in and the guy comes running out through the back door through the yard where (Lana) is," said the homeowner, who asked not to be identified. "He sort of stops, points the gun at her. He starts running, and she chases him."

The man leaped over a fence to escape, she added.

No shots were fired and no one was injured, police said.

The burglar was described by police as Latino, 25 to 35 years old, 180 to 210 pounds, about 5 feet, 10 inches tall with black hair, a mustache and goatee.

The man was wearing a black Los Angeles Kings logo hat, black pants, a gray hooded sweatshirt, and black and white tennis shoes at the time of the crime. He also had a gold wedding ring and black watch.

Call police at 323-342-8996 with information about the crime. Click here for more photos.