Inset: Ryan Hagenbuch (Sarasota County Jail). Background: Nokomis Inn and Suites near Sarasota, Florida (Google Maps).
A Florida firefighter allegedly stole $200 while responding to a medical call in which an 80-year-old man was pronounced dead in a hotel room.
Ryan Hagenbuch, 44, stands accused of grand theft. According to a probable cause affidavit, the incident in question happened around 6:30 p.m. March 9 at the Nokomis Inn and Suites near Sarasota. Hagenbuch, a 15-year veteran of the Sarasota County Fire Department, responded with a rookie firefighter to a medical call. The victim was pronounced dead.
More from Law&Crime: ‘Always something new’: Thieves use ‘Jaws of Life’ in string of robberies at 7-Eleven stores to steal more than $200K, cops say
After cops left the room, the rookie said Hagenbuch told him go into the victim’s wallet and “take a little bit of lunch money,” per the affidavit. When the rookie refused, Hagenbuch allegedly told him to turn his back, went into the man’s wallet, pulled out two $100 bills and slipped them into his pocket.
“He is dead, nobody is going to know,” Hagenbuch allegedly said.
When Hagenbuch asked his fellow firefighter if he thought less of him because he stole the money, he further tried to explain himself.
“I’m not a scumbag,” he allegedly said. “I don’t do scummy s—.”
But then Hagenbuch contradicted himself.
“Everybody has scummy things that they do. A little bit of lunch money from a dead guy is not bad. It’s not going to hurt somebody or cause damage,” he said, according to the affidavit.
The rookie reported the incident to his supervisor once they got back to the fire station. Cops tried to speak to Hagenbuch, but he lawyered up. He later apologized to his bosses and said he made a mistake.
Hagenbuch resigned from the fire department shortly thereafter. Cops arrested him and took him to the Sarasota County Jail where he has since bonded out.
Sarasota County fire released the following statement to local NBC affiliate WFLA:
Sarasota County is aware of the arrest of a former Sarasota County Fire Department employee. The individual is no longer an employee of Sarasota County and had resigned their position prior to their arrest. Sarasota County does not comment on individual employee matters, however, staff will continue to assist law enforcement and state agencies as needed during their investigations.
When the allegations were received involving this individual, the Sarasota County Fire Department immediately notified the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office so they could conduct a thorough investigation.
It’s important to note that it was the actions taken by Sarasota County Fire Department personnel that brought these concerns forward. This reflects our commitment to accountability and doing what’s right.
Hagenbuch has a court date scheduled for May 22.
Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket, to get the latest real-life crime stories delivered right to your inbox.
