A Linthicum homeowner and a suspect in an alleged burglary attempt exchanged gunshots early Monday morning, police said.

Officers spoke to a 46-year-old man at about 5:45 a.m. Monday who said that he confronted two men near the front door of his home in the 6800 block of Harrison Avenue in Linthicum. The man told police he went outside to let his dogs out when he saw the suspects, one of whom was armed with a pitchfork.

The man said he pointed a handgun at the suspects and then he saw a flash that he believed meant the second suspect fired a handgun at him, according to a release from police. The man told police he fired back at the suspects, who fled into a wooded area near the rear of his property.

Police said preliminary investigation determined that there were no injuries in the shooting and that the suspects did not break in to the home. It appeared that the suspects tampered with the victim's vehicles, police said.

Officers and a K-9 unit searched the area but were unable to find the suspects, police said.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Northern District at 410-222-6135.