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I was just trying to brainstorm some other variables.

I think the outcome was almost perfect and you acted prudently throughout. . . you are still in possession of your firearm, you are not contacting an attorney, your neighbor only lost a few goods that should be insured, and nobody was hurt. The only upgrade to this outcome would be no loss for the neighbor and apprehended BGs, but it's not a perfect world.

You also were reinforced on your decision to pay attention to those dogs. My weimaraner sounds too many false alarms during the day to pay attention, but at night time, I'd go straight to alert level "red" if she sounded her deep alert bark (which should scare off a good percentage of potential intruders on its own).

Do you know the neighbor? If so, I might have tried calling them.

With regards to leaving your property, many will disagree, but there are a few neighbors of mine for whom I would've entered their yard to look for signs of eminent danger to them (look for a kicked-in door or broken window, listen for screams, etc.). I wouldn't do it for all of them. Most of the time I'd hang back, keep my family and house safe, and wait for the police. I wouldn't have walked farther down the alley than the place I observed the activity.

Here are some what-ifs that could change the situation on you (these are endless, but might be worth considering tactically in the future):
- What if there was still 1+ BGs at your neighbor's house? Still in the RV after the others bailed? In the house with the homeowners tied up, attacked, dying, or just held hostage?
- What if they had a lookout watching the alley a few houses on the other side of your property, putting you in between them?
- What if their escape path was past you instead of the opposite direction?
- What if your neighbor noticed them near the same time and came out of the house with a firearm? Would ya'll recognize each other?

I agree on the security lights. I need a major upgrade of external lighting for my house, too.