MARION COUNTY, Fla. -- A 75-year-old man was severely beaten and robbed in his home Thursday morning. Deputies have arrested three people accused of the home invasion in Ocklawaha.

Deputies are investigating a bizarre claim the suspects made as to why they were in the home.

“Please send somebody. I've been robbed and beat up and I'm bleeding to death,” the caller said to a 911 operator.

The voice in the 911 call frantically seeking the help of an emergency worker is that of a 75-year-old Ocklawaha man.

“And you said you were robbed?” the operator asked.

“Yes ma'am. I was beat badly with a pistol. I think I'm bleeding to death,” he replied.

The man, who neighbors identified as Marvin, was at home early Thursday morning when deputies said two people broke in, beat him, then stole a shotgun and $900 in cash. Deputies said a third person waited in a get-a-way car.

Marvin managed to get to a phone and call for help.

“Please hurry!” Marvin said.

“Ok. Stay on the phone with me,” the operator said.

“According to the suspects, they did smoke crack with the victim,” Jennifer Fisher of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said.

Marion County deputies plan to interview Marvin when he's better to find out if he previously did drugs with the assailants.

“He reportedly knew them. He was some kind of acquaintance,” Fisher said.

But in the 911 call, the victim said he had no idea who the people were.

“Where are the people who did this to you?” the operator asked.

“I don't know who they are,” he replied.

Neighbors were surprised of the news in the town on the outskirts of the Ocala National Forest.

“He was a quiet man as far as neighbors are concerned,” neighbor Kay Kirby. The victim remains in a local hospital. He had to get 20 staples to close the wounds to his head.

The suspects, Tianne James and Dwayne Holston are facing charges of armed home invasion robbery and aggravated battery. The third suspect, Joseph Richardson, is facing a charge of dealing stolen property.