Two Panama City men have been arrested in Washington County on burglary charges. It all began on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at approximately 2:30 p.m. the Washington County Sheriff’s Office received a call in reference to a burglary at a home on Piney Grove Road.

Deputies responded to the home and initial interviews revealed two males had kicked in the back door of the residence in a home invasion style burglary and fled after discovering someone was home.

Before fleeing, the suspects were able to take several hundreds of dollars from the residence. Witnesses reported seeing a Ford Astro or Aerostar van, possibly blue in color, at several different residences in the area prior to the burglary.

Law enforcement agencies in surrounding counties were notified and an extensive investigation was initiated.

Working off identification from eye witnesses, Washington County Sheriff’s Office investigators attained arrest warrants for Billie Ray Hagan, 49, and Robert Mac Coleman, 45, both from Panama City.

Hagan and Coleman were later arrested and charged them with burglary of an occupied dwelling and grand theft. Both are being held on a $75,000 bond each.

“We absolutely have to give credit to the residents in the area of this burglary who through detailed observation were able to give our investigators the tools to solve this case extremely quickly” states Sheriff Haddock. “This is a prime example of neighbors looking out for neighbors and as result, those responsible will be held accountable.”