NOKOMIS, Fla. — A Sarasota County firefighter was arrested after he admitted to stealing “a little bit of lunch money from a dead guy” during a service call, according to the sheriff’s office.

At 6:22 p.m. on March 9, firefighters Ryan Hagenbuch, 44, and Joshua Thurmond were responding to a call about an unresponsive man at the Nokomis Inn & Suites motel. The 62-year-old man was pronounced dead at 6:29 p.m. inside his motel room.

Thurmond told investigators that Hagenbuch then saw cash inside the dead man’s wallet and waited for law enforcement to leave the room.

Hagenbuch reportedly told Thurmond he “should take a little bit of lunch money,” and Thurmond told him no.

Hagenbuch then took $200 from the man’s wallet and placed it in his pocket, according to Thurmond’s interview with investigators.

“He is dead. Nobody is going to know,” Hagenbuch reportedly said.

Once the firefighters were on their way back to the station, Thurmond said Hagenbuch tried to explain his actions.

“I’m not a scumbag. I don’t do scummy sh*t. Everybody has scummy things that they do,” Hagenbuch reportedly said. “A little bit of lunch money from a dead guy is not bad. It’s not going to hurt somebody or cause damage.”

Thurmond reported Hagenbuch once they were back at the station. 

Investigators say Hagenbuch turned the $200 over to the fire chief before apologizing to Thurmond and admitting to putting him in a difficult position. Hagenbuch had been with the Sarasota County Fire Department for 15 years, while Thurmond has been with the department for just over a year. 

Hagenbuch reportedly told the chief he had a lapse in judgment and made a mistake before resigning.

He was arrested and faces one felony charge of grand theft of a dwelling. He posted the $2,500 bond on March 11.