A former Los Angeles Police Department detective, Michael Douglas Brambles, is facing charges of kidnapping to commit a robbery while using a firearm in connection with a 1994 crime in Thousand Oaks, California. The charges were announced by District Attorney Nasarenko and Sheriff Fryhoff at a press conference.
Background of the Case
On April 19, 1994, Brambles allegedly entered Arabella Boutique in Thousand Oaks as the owner, identified by the initials ‘S.W.’, was closing up. He allegedly pointed a handgun at S.W., forced her into a backroom, and tied her hands behind her back before sexually assaulting her. Brambles then stole property from the business before fleeing the scene.
S.W. called 911 afterwards, and deputies responded to the scene. However, due to the statute of limitations, Brambles is not facing charges related to the sexual assault.
Previous Convictions and Release
Brambles was identified as a suspect within months but was already being prosecuted in Los Angeles County for an extensive crime spree involving 18 different cases, including armed robberies and sexual assaults. He was convicted of 26 counts, including convictions for using a firearm in each case and multiple sexual assaults, and was sentenced to 102 years in state prison.
Due to the length of his sentence, Ventura County dismissed its local case against Brambles with S.W.’s permission, as she believed he would remain in prison for the remainder of his natural life. However, Brambles was released on parole in 2020 after serving 26 years of his original sentence.
Brambles was arrested on August 12 in Santa Maria and was transported to Ventura County for an arraignment on charges currently scheduled for August 14. He faces a maximum sentence of 12 years to life in state prison if convicted on all charged counts and is currently being held on a $2 million bail.
Investigators believe additional survivors may still come forward, and anyone with more information is asked to contact District Attorney Investigator Mike McManama at 805-477-1652.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
