Live Oak man arrested for allegedly stealing firefighter’s wallet

BONNY DOON, Calif. (KION)

UPDATE 8/27/2020 3:30 p.m. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office said it has made a connection to the theft of a firefighter's wallet from a vehicle in Bonny Doon.

Sheriff Jim Hart said they arrested Live Oak resident Brian Johnson after going to his home for a probation search. There investigators said they found clothing worn in surveillance video and merchandise purchased with the stolen credit cards. He became a suspect after a tip from a community member.

Hart said that when investigators talked to Johnson, he admitted to using the cards and making charges. He also wrote a letter of apology to the firefighter.

Johnson was arrested on multiple felony charges, including forgery, grand theft, credit card theft, possession of stolen property and probation violation. The probation was out of another county.

The Sheriff's Office is following up on another person who they believe may be involved and said there may be a second arrest.

The Sheriff did not know exactly how much money was spent, but said that one purchase amounted to about $1,400.

PREVIOUS STORY: The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office is holding a press conference to provide an update on the suspect accused of stealing a firefighter's wallet.

The press conference is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Valley Vineyard Church in Scotts Valley.

The wallet was stolen from a Cal Fire firefighter's vehicle, which was parked at the Bonny Doon Fire Station off Empire Grade Road while he was fighting the CZU August Lightning Complex Fires.

Detectives said the suspect used one of the stolen credit cards at the Shell gas station and Safeway on 41st Avenue in Capitola.