Sometimes, a police department writes a social media post so entertaining that the arrest itself becomes almost secondary to the write-up.
That’s exactly what happened when the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office shared the story of a motorcycle rider’s failed attempt to evade deputies during the early morning hours. The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Brian Swartz of Bunnell, was ultimately arrested on charges including fleeing and eluding, operating without a driver’s license, and riding without a motorcycle endorsement.
Let’s be honest, most people aren’t talking about the charges. They’re talking about “Blowby Betty.”
According to the sheriff’s office, the incident began around 2:23 a.m. when a deputy encountered a blue motorcycle with no lights and no license plate. The agency joked that the motorcycle wasn’t spotted so much as heard first, thanks to its unmuffled backfiring.
The department then introduced readers to what may become one of the most memorable vehicle nicknames in recent law enforcement social media history.
“This was no ordinary high-octane crotch rocket,” the post read. “This was a rusty parts bike with what sounded like a weed-eater motor attached, which we will henceforth refer to as Blowby Betty.”
Deputies Say It Wasn’t Really a Pursuit
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The humor continued from there. The sheriff’s office made it clear that what followed was not exactly a high-speed chase.
“Let’s be clear, what followed was NOT a pursuit. A pursuit implies speed,” the post joked.
According to the agency, the motorcycle briefly reached around 40 mph before slowing to roughly 15 mph while traveling through Hidden Trails Park. The post described the event as a “guided neighborhood tour,” with deputies following behind.
The route reportedly included Mahogany, Almond, and Cherry streets before the motorcycle’s journey came to an abrupt end when soft sand and a lack of power caused it to tip over, pinning the rider’s shin beneath the bike.
The bodycam footage is almost as entertaining as the Facebook post itself. While deputies can be heard shouting commands as they move in to make the arrest, the deputy who initiated the stop sounds less like she’s dealing with a criminal mastermind and more like someone completely exhausted by the situation.
“You’re under arrest. Stop. We know it’s you. You’re under arrest. Just give it up, man. Stop. Don’t make this any worse,” the deputy can be heard saying as the slow-motion escape attempt finally comes to an end.
The contrast between the deputy’s exasperated tone and the seriousness of the commands being issued by assisting officers only adds to the surreal nature of the encounter.
Swartz was arrested without incident. The motorcycle, meanwhile, was seized and towed to impound. The sheriff’s office concluded by announcing that Blowby Betty could finally get some rest.
While the sheriff’s office’s write-up was filled with jokes and colorful descriptions, the arrest itself was very real.
According to booking records, Swartz was booked into the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office jail on Friday morning on charges including fleeing with disregard for the safety of persons or property, operating a motor vehicle without a valid license, and operating a motorcycle without a license. Bond was set at $2,800. The booking information matches the charges outlined in the sheriff’s office’s social media post.
The Internet Loved It
The comments quickly filled with people praising the department’s writing.
Some declared “Blowby Betty” an instant classic. Others singled out lines such as “guided neighborhood tour” and “sputtering steed begged for mercy” as their favorite parts of the post. Several commenters joked that whoever manages the agency’s social media account deserved a raise.
Not everyone was convinced the post was written by a human. A handful of commenters accused the department of using AI, while others jokingly asked, “What in the ChatGPT did I just read?” Frankly, we’re not sure that matters.
Police departments aren’t competing for Pulitzer Prizes. We expect law enforcement humor to be a little awkward, a little dad-joke-heavy, and occasionally a bit cheesy. Their primary job is keeping roads safe and responding to crime, not workshopping comedy routines for social media.
Besides, anyone who has actually wrestled with AI long enough to produce a genuinely entertaining piece of writing knows it isn’t as effortless as some people make it sound.
Why People Couldn’t Stop Sharing It
Whether the post was written entirely by a person, assisted by AI, or some combination of both, it accomplished something many government agencies struggle to do: it got people to pay attention.
Law enforcement agencies increasingly use social media to connect with their communities, share public safety information, and remind residents that there are actual people behind the badge. Most of those posts disappear into the endless scroll of the internet. This one didn’t.
Thousands of people stopped to read it, laughed at it, shared it, and talked about it. More importantly, they also received the underlying message that attempting to flee from law enforcement is dangerous and rarely ends well.
In that sense, the post was a success. It entertained people, generated engagement, and delivered a public safety message without sounding like a lecture.
And somewhere in an impound lot, a tired little motorcycle named Blowby Betty is probably enjoying a well-earned retirement.