Baby Kidnapping Suspect Busted

December 7, 2010

The man accused of  kidnapping a baby and stealing a car last week has been arrested.

A Crime Stoppers tip led to the arrest Brandon Ryan Switzer, 32, of Pensacola, Monday afternoon.

About 3:50 p.m., officers with the U.S. Marshalls Task Force –which includes Escambia County Deputies, the Sheriff’s Gang Unit and a Sheriff’s K9 deputy — found Switzer at a residence in the 2300 block of West Jordan Street.

Switzer was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.

Around 7:41 Wednesday morning, December 1, deputies responded to a reported kidnapping in the 300 block of Wiggins Lane in Pensacola, and a manhunt for Switzer followed.

Deputies were told by Switzer’s former girlfriend, Stacey Lee Markle, 24, of Pensacola, that she and Switzer were engaged in an argument. When Markle attempted to leave, Switzer allegedly grabbed her by the neck and pulled her away from their vehicle. Switzer then grabbed a five month old baby from Markle’s arms, throwing the infant into the back seat of a Saturn car.

When Markle attempted to get into the vehicle she says she was grabbed and thrown to the ground by Switzer. Switzer then drove off in the red Saturn with the five month old still in the backseat, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Switzer crashed the Saturn into a tree in the dead end of Jean Street, located near the intersection of Legair Street. When deputies found the vehicle it wasn’t occupied. A witness to the crash approached deputies and told them that Switzer, who was said to be bleeding from the head, approached her and handed her the infant. Switzer then walked into the woods, according to the witness. The infant was not injured.

He is facing charges of battery, kidnapping and vehicle theft. Child endangerment charges are being filed by the Florida Highway Patrol in connection with the crash.

According to Escambia County court records, Switzer recently resided at an address on Littleton Street in Cantonment.

Comments

3 Responses to “Baby Kidnapping Suspect Busted”

  1. kalin on December 8th, 2010 9:12 am

    makes me wonder why some people are even given children…there is so much meaness in the world today, just like the idiot that threw his kids over that bridge, the man who has apparently killed his children that are buried here and there….there are so many good people out there that WANT kids and can’t have them…just makes me wonder

  2. Chumuckla Proud on December 7th, 2010 5:10 pm

    I’m with you Horrific….glad this dirt bag is now behind bars! I pray that the infant child he tried to kidnap will not endure anymore hardships during its precious little life here on earth.

  3. Horrific! on December 7th, 2010 7:16 am

    What a piece of work this guy is.
    Mommy must be very proud of who she raised.

    JUDGE you better hit this guy with everything you got.
    WE will be watching you…..

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News