[Blaze] The sheriff's office in Bay County, Florida, said officers responded Tuesday to a reported home invasion robbery at a residence in the 8200 block of Random Road. The area is about 10 minutes north of Panama City Beach.Patrol deputies made contact with the victim, who reported that two masked suspects entered his home while he was sleeping and stole a large amount of cash, officials said.
The victim stated he confronted the suspects inside the residence and chased them out, officials said, adding that the suspects then fled in their SUV.
The victim then entered his own vehicle and pursued the SUV off Random Road and eastbound on Highway 388, officials said.
During the chase, the victim reported striking the suspect vehicle multiple times in an attempt to stop it, officials said, adding that after the final impact, the suspect vehicle swerved and crashed into a ditch.
When deputies arrived, they learned that the occupants of the crashed vehicle fled on foot into a nearby wooded area, officials said.
Investigators soon learned that the crashed vehicle was registered to 22-year-old Sarra Swartz, officials said.
While processing the scene, investigators found a large amount of cash in the vehicle and on the ground near the driver’s door, officials said, adding that the cash appeared consistent with the victim’s report of money taken during the home invasion.
The victim amid the investigation also provided additional information about events preceding the robbery, officials said.