Updated at 10:50 a.m. Oct. 28, 2014
A couple accused of carrying out a robbery during which the husband allegedly threatened employees at a Poway home-improvement store with a makeshift flame-thrower waived their right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday and agreed to be bound over for trial.
Ignacio Brambila, 37, and Sarrah Brambila, 35, are charged with assault with a deadly weapon, making threats, robbery, child endangerment and possession of a billy club and meth pipes. Ignacio Brambila is also charged with driving under the influence of methamphetamine.
Deputy District Attorney Michael MacNeil said Ignacio Brambila went into The Home Depot on Tech Center Drive about 10 p.m Sept. 6 and loaded an empty baby stroller with expensive tools.
The defendant left the store without paying for the items and ran to his car, where he retrieved an aerosol bottle and set flame to it, chasing employees while yelling “I’m going to light you on fire,” MacNeil alleged.
Brambila then drove off with his wife and 2-year-old child, the prosecutor said.
Sheriff’s deputies pulled the couple over a short distance away. Inside the trunk of the car, they found the stolen merchandise, according to sheriff’s Sgt. Chad Boudreau.
Sarrah Brambila admitted that she had used meth and deputies suspected that her husband was also under the influence, MacNeil said.
Judge Kathleen Lewis set a readiness conference for Nov. 20 and trial for Dec. 17.
—City News Service