Former LA Detective Re-arrested for New Felony Offenses

A former Los Angeles vice detective, Michael Douglas Brambles, 77, has been arrested again after being released on parole in 2020. He is now charged with kidnapping to commit robbery while personally using a firearm. The charges stem from an alleged incident in Thousand Oaks, California, where he is accused of robbing and sexually assaulting a woman identified as SW.

New Allegations and Charges

According to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Brambles allegedly entered Arabella’s Boutique, pointed a handgun at SW who was closing the store, and forced her into a backroom. There, he tied her hands behind her back and sexually assaulted her. Though he’s accused of stealing from the boutique, the sexual assault allegations cannot be charged due to expired statutes of limitations.

Authorities identified Brambles as a suspect shortly after the crime occurred. However, he was already being prosecuted for a series of robberies and sexual assaults in Los Angeles County. He was previously convicted on 26 counts, including 18 armed robberies, and sentenced to 102 years in prison.

Parole and Its Aftermath

Brambles was released on parole in 2020, thanks to a California law that allows aging inmates to apply for early release. At his parole hearing, he denied committing any sexual assaults beyond those for which he had been convicted. When Ventura County District Attorney’s Office re-evaluated SW’s cold case under the federal Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, they discovered Brambles’ release, leading to his arrest last Wednesday. He is now in Ventura County jail on a $2 million bail.

A few months ago, when investigators from the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office contacted me, I was shocked to hear not only that this man was walking free, but that he had been out of prison for six years, said SW. The justice that I and his other victims deserved was denied when he was only required to serve a fraction of the sentence he earned. I am thankful to have this opportunity now to seek justice for myself and for his other victims.

If convicted, Brambles faces a possible sentence of 12 years to life. District Attorney Erik Nasarenko praised SW for her courage to confront Brambles once again. Without her bravery, they would not have been able to proceed with the charges related to the newer allegations.