NOKOMIS, Fla. (WWSB) — A Sarasota County firefighter has been arrested after allegedly stealing money from a deceased man during a service call.
According to court documents, Ryan J. Hagenbuch was dispatched to the Nokomis Inn and Suites in the 5000 block of Hummingbird Avenue in response to a report of an unresponsive individual. The victim, John Sranko, was found deceased inside a hotel room.
During the response, another firefighter reported seeing Hagenbuch take $200 from the victim’s wallet. After an investigation was launched into the missing money, Hagenbuch eventually admitted to taking the cash.
According to the affidavit, Hagenbuch told his partner he was going to take “a little bit of lunch money.” He later apologized and said it was a “lapse in judgment.”
Hagenbuch has since been charged with grand theft of a dwelling and has entered a not guilty plea in Sarasota County Court.
The Sarasota County Fire Department confirmed Hagenbuch resigned before his arrest and released a statement highlighting the integrity of their personnel. “It’s important to note that it was the actions taken by Sarasota County Fire Department personnel that brought these concerns forward,” the department said. “This reflects our commitment to accountability and doing what’s right.”
The case is ongoing.
