Burlington police said the break-in happened shortly after 9 a.m. on the 700 block of Edinburgh Court.
According to authorities, the suspect, 29-year-old William Lawrence Cowan, attempted to get into the back door using an ax that belonged to the homeowner.
As Cowan was attempting to break-in, the homeowner retrieved a shotgun, confronted and scared him off.
Police set up a perimeter around the area of the break-in immediately afterward and arrested Cowan shortly after without incident.
Cowan was charged with breaking and entering with the intent to commit felony/larceny and is being held under a $5,000 bond.
No one was injured in the incident.
Anyone with information on the break-in is asked to contact the Burlington Police Department at (336) 229-3500.