A group of Girl Scouts selling cookies were in for the surprise of their lives when the man they were trying to sell cookies to stole their cookie money instead.

Cody Phillip Gintaz, a California heroin addict, admitted robbing the group of 10-year-old scouts so he can pay for a drug fix.

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In an interview with NBC Bay Area, the 23-year-old suspect said he felt guilty stealing cookie money from the group of Girl Scouts.

"I would definitely tell them I'm sorry," Gintz said.

The suspect narrated that he was experience an intense heroin withdrawal Sunday when he stopped to use the bathroom at a San Jose Safeway.

There, he noticed a troop of Girl Scouts selling cookies near the entrance.

"When I saw their lunchbox full of money, my addiction took over. I was desperate," he said.

When the troop of scouts went near Gintz to sell him cookies, the suspects snatched the lunchbox, which contained US$300 in cash, and ran off.

He said he felt guilty when he heard the 10-year-old Girl Scouts screaming at him but he ran continued running away.

Gintz said he took the cash and threw the lunchbox in a creek. He went back to the parking lot to get into his car when one of the mothers of the girls recognized him.

The police was able to track Gintz down and found the cash.

The money was returned to the Girl Scouts and the police also purchase every box of cookies the troop had left.

The 23-year-old heroin addict was charged with strong arm robbery and is held on US$50,000 bail.

TagsGirl Scout Cookies, Cody Gintaz