Los Angeles:
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Topanga Division detectives said
that they have arrested a parolee who is believed to have committed
over a dozen robberies throughout Los Angeles and Kern Counties since
November 2009. The arrest was the result of a collaborative
investigation by the LAPD, Kern County Sheriff Office (KCSO) and Los
Angeles Sheriff Department’s (LASD) Santa Clarita Valley Station.
On January 24, 2010, at around 2 a.m., a Topanga Division gang unit
took 57-year-old James Brammer into custody without incident near
Quakertown Avenue and Vanowen Street in Winnetka. He was booked for
robbery and is being held in lieu of a $250,000 bail.
On January 23, 2010, the suspect hit a Baskin-Robbins located at 19942
½ Ventura Boulevard around 9:40 p.m. Detectives said a man wearing a
fake mustache entered the business carrying a handgun, demanded money
and left the store.
After LAPD detectives learned KCSO and LASD had similar robberies, they
gained solid leads and were able to get a description of the suspect.
The suspect was arrested after electronic surveillance helped track his
whereabouts.
Investigators conducted a search at Brammer’s home in Reseda and
collected evidence he used in the robberies. Detectives have connected
him to 14 robberies thus far. Brammer was paroled for robbery in April
2009.
Anyone with information about these robberies is urged to call the LAPD
Robbery Homicide Division at 213-486-6850. During non-business hours
or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7. Anyone
wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS
(800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to
phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.
All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may
also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.