Pizza restaurant robber faces 16 felony charges

A 57-year-old man described as a career criminal who allegedly used a wig and a fake mustache to hold up a pizza joint in Santa Clarita was facing 16 felony charges today, sheriff's officials said today.

James William Brammer, 57, of Canoga Park, was locked up early today in one of the county jails downtown, a jailer said in a phone interview.

Brammer used the wig and mustache, along with a handgun, around 10 p.m. Jan. 8 when he robbed Vincenzo's Pizza on Plum Canyon Road, sheriff's Lt. Carrie Stuart of the Santa Clarita Valley Station said.

Brammer ordered food first, then pulled the gun, demanded cash, got some and left, deputies said.

Investigators used surveillance video to track down Brammer, and a detective identified him as a parolee released in April after serving 18 years for armed robbery, sheriff's officials said.

Detectives also learned of other robberies in other jurisdictions, including one in Frazier Park, deputies said. On Sunday, Brammer was arrested by Los Angeles police, according to deputies.

Sheriff's detectives are seeking 16 felony counts of robbery against Brammer, according to deputies.

Anyone with more information was urged to call the sheriff's robbery and assault team at the Santa Clarita Valley Station at (661) 255-1121.