Giving your 'midnight caller' the benefit of the doubt, he truly was in need of road side assistance, that still is no excuse for stupid, rude, boorish behavior.
And I really don't feel qualified to comment on your actions. I don't know you, or your neighborhood, I don't know the level of your training, or that of your really wonderful neighbors. The only real contribution I have to offer, is to say, I have found myself, going out the back, to check out things that went bump in the night also. And you found yourself in a situation that far surpassed bumps in the night. About the only other thing is, I hope you plan an elaborate BBQ as a thank you to your 'back-ups.'
With that out of the way. What kind of idiot, seeking help, approaches someones home in that manner? Even the most complacent amongst us, must realize an unexpected night caller will push the homeowners threat detection level up a few notches. It just amazes me that anyone could be that stupid. Several years ago I blew a steering tire, on a tractor trailer, in a rural area of Pa.. It was an upper, upper, middle class area (not a farm community), and I needed to beg assistance. I must admit it was a rather daunting experience. It wasn't night, but it was that odd early morning hour, husbands off to work, schools buses finished their rounds, in an isolated affluent community, and I, scruffy, unkempt, with a definite 'rough customer' appearance need to approach these homes and ask for help. I was not in fear of my own safety, my concern was more of causing alarm to the housewives I needed to interact with. I fully expected to be greeted with suspicion and caution, so I had written out all the information needed for someone to place my call for help for me. No need to invite me in, they could place the call for me, without needing to even let me in.
The first 2 homes were unoccupied, and the lack of any obvious deterrents amazed me. The third home, car in the drive, the sound of children playing, just signs that the lady of the house was in. I rang the bell, stepped back from the door(to provide a buffer zone for the home owner), and was greeted like an expected guest, which startled me more then an armed greeting would have. I explained my situation, asked her to place my call, and declined her invitation to come in(that would just have blown me completely out of my comfort zone). She made the call while I waited on her porch, the service people had all the information they needed and dispatched assistance, I thanked her and walked back to my truck. Baffled that the whole time she was making my call the only barrier between me and her and her young children was a flimsy screen door.
I guess I'm trying to say, people are oblivious.To 'assault' someone's door with a (supposed)request for assistance, strikes me as just as hazardous to one's wellbeing, as the total lack of situational awareness displayed by my good Samaritan.
I am not a hermit, but I do not like when people show up at my door after dark randomly. If its a neighbor with some legitimate reason, ok, but some stranger showing up- I don't like that. 
At this point I wouldn't of even helped him out if he was that brazen and rude about it. Was the guy from NJ or something? 
