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, aged 44, is facing charges of grand theft. Allegedly, the incident occurred at approximately 6:30 p.m. on March 9 at the Nokomis Inn and Suites near Sarasota. Hagenbuch, who has worked in the Sarasota County Fire Department for 15 years, was on the scene with a rookie firefighter responding to a medical emergency that resulted in the victim’s death.
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Following the departure of the police from the room, the rookie firefighter reported that Hagenbuch instructed him to take money from the deceased person’s wallet for lunch expenses, as stated in the affidavit. When the rookie declined, Hagenbuch allegedly instructed him to look away, proceeded to extract two $100 bills from the wallet, and concealed them in 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.
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