Police said a four-legged friend came to the rescue after a robbery Monday night in Cedar Rapids.

Officers were called to 187 22nd Ave. SW around 10:25 p.m. for a report of a robbery. A 32-year-old man there told police two men had approached him as he arrived home and asked for the keys to his car. When he refused, one suspect displayed a handgun.

The suspects walked the man to the house, struck him in the face with the gun and took his wallet and cell phone, police said. The suspects forced the man inside the house, where a 25-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy were.

While the suspects were still inside, the 25-year old man released his pit bull from a nearby room, and the suspects took off running, according to a police report. It was unknown if the dog bit either suspect.

The robbers got away with a wallet and two cell phones valued at $300. They are described as black men in their late 20s, both around 5-foot-10 and approximately 220 pounds. All of the clothing they were wearing was black, police said.