A Santa Cruz County resident has been arrested for stealing the wallet of a firefighter fighting the CZU Complex Lighting Fire, a theft that drew local condemnation and national attention.
Brian Johnson, a resident of Live Oak just south of downtown Santa Cruz, was arrested Wednesday night after a civilian investigator tipped off, Sheriff Jim Hart of Santa Cruz said Thursday. The suspect stole the wallet of the Cal Fire firefighter’s truck, using a credit card to make multiple purchases, including one $ 1,400 transaction. Johnson allegedly used the card to buy gift cards that he could then use to buy other products.
Investigators spoke with Johnson after receiving a call from someone Hart said Johnson personally knew and recognized the clothes he was shown in security cameras shared by the sheriff’s office.
“He admitted he had used the credit card and made the charges,” Hart said. “He also sat down and wrote an apology letter to the fire department.”
At Johnson’s residence, investigators found the clothing seen in the security footage, as well as multiple items that may have been purchased with the sets of funds. Johnson, who is on probation with another county, was charged with multiple crimes, including aggravated theft, credit card theft and possession of stolen goods, as well as a violation of the release.
The sheriff said he spoke with Santa Cruz District Attorney Jeffrey Rosell, who “is committed to filing the appropriate criminal charges in this case.” Hart added that Johnson will not be released after processing because of the violation of the release.
Investigators are also planning to speak to a second male suspect later today, which could result in an arrest pending that interview and additional security footage from some stores, according to Hart. That second suspect is also a local resident.
Hart reiterated that the fire department’s bank and credit card company reversed all charges. His office had received calls from New York State to help the victim, he said.
“(The firefighter) said he’s fine now and all he wants to do now is get on the fire line and do his job,” Hart said.
The crime drew national attention when crews fought multiple destructive fires in the Bay Area – the CZU Complex Fire burned more than 81,000 acres, claimed one civilian life and destroyed 445 homes.
“That’s not where we are in Santa Cruz County,” Hart said. “That is not a good representation of our community to benefit from someone who came here to help us.”
