They were probably petty thieves since they ran off as soon as you saw them. If they were government agents or whoever after your head, you would have been dead as soon as they saw you. You can build a protective barrier around your house to keep thieves and other harmful people out of your house. The method below was taken from the sermon "14/November/2015" by High Priestess Maxine Dietrich here: josministries.prophpbb.com/post58720.html
It is imperative to work on building an aura of protection everyday. Raise your energies, this can be as simple as vibrating SATANAS into your chakras every day and then affirm: “I am always safe, secure protected and fine in every way and at all times.” State this while visualizing a brilliant light engulfing your entire being. If you are new or have trouble visualizing, just do the best you can. This can also be adapted for loved ones, but make sure you are strong enough first and don’t spread your energies too thin.
Now for another… the astral line. I have done this myself and it definitely works. If you have more than one person, a coven, etc., you can do this with a perimeter around your entire house, but with one person, the output of energy may be too much.
Breathe in through your entire being and with your finger, direct the energy out and to the bottom of your main entrance, also any entrances that are used in your house or apartment.
Visualize strong, powerful white-gold light like the Sun emanating from your finer and drawing an astral line at the bottom of the entire door. Then program the energy. This will have to be done preferably during a waxing Moon every day and preferable during the day when the Sun is shining. When you have drawn the astral line, then visualize the light from the Sun further lighting it up and affirm:
“This line of light is constantly and continuously protecting my house/apartment/living area. This line is fully repelling and preventing any individuals who intend me any harm from entering this premises.” State this with focus and intent 10 times.
Then, visualize the Sun brightening the line more and more and affirm: “This light of this protective astral line is constantly and continuously being fully fed and replenished by the universal ocean of protective energy and light.” 10 times. Do this every day from a new Moon to a full Moon, ideally. Never start this on a void Moon.