I refer you to the "First Law of Holes." I am NOT saying that the homeowners are all innocent but there is a big difference between actual guilt and conviction in a court of law. You seem to be confusing the two. Guilty people are found not guilty all the time. I give you OJ as the best example for this situation.
How about "Officer, I just returned home and found out I'd been broken into and all of this stuff was here. My phone is not working so I could not report it. I was so afraid to venture outside lest the criminals that stashed this stuff see me that I barricaded myself inside. Thank God you are here."
Hey, I think you're onto something!
How about, "Officer, I just got home, and found my house was full of really neat new stuff, and I was just on my way to the police station to report it".
You're not a criminal defense attorney are you?
This is too funny!