A Santa Cruz County resident has been arrested for stealing the wallet of a firefighter battling the CZU Complex Lighting Fire, a theft that drew local condemnation and national attention.

Brian Johnson, a resident of Live Oak just south of the city of Santa Cruz, was detained on Wednesday night after a citizen tipped off investigators, Santa Cruz Sheriff Jim Hart said on Thursday. The suspect stole the wallet of an out-of-town 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 he could then use to buy other products.

Investigators spoke to Johnson after receiving a call from someone whom Hart said may have known Johnson personally and may have recognized the clothing he was shown wearing in security camera footage the sheriff’s office shared publicly.

“He admitted that he had used the credit card and made the charges,” Hart said. “He also sat down and wrote a letter of apology to the fireman.”

At Johnson’s residence, investigators found the clothing seen in the security footage, as well as multiple items that may have been purchased using the stolen funds. Johnson, who is on parole with a different county, was accused of multiple felonies, including grand theft, credit card theft and possession of stolen property, as well as a parole violation.

The sheriff said he has spoken to Santa Cruz District Attorney Jeffrey Rosell, who “is committed to filing the appropriate felony charges in this case.” Hart added that Johnson won’t be released after processing because of the parole violation.

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 firefighter’s bank and credit card company had reversed all the charges. His office had received calls from as far as New York State seeking to help the victim, he said.

“(The firefighter) said he’s good now and all he wants to do now is get up on that fireline and do his job,” Hart said.

The crime drew national attention as crews battled multiple destructive fires in the Bay Area — the CZU Complex Fire has burned more than 81,000 acres, claiming one civilian life and destroying 445 homes.

“That’s not who we are here in Santa Cruz County,” Hart said. “That’s not a good representation of our community to take advantage of somebody who came here to help us.”