Sheriff’s deputies arrest man suspected of stalking 13-year-old girl

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a man suspected of stalking and harassing a 13-year-old girl in Goleta Friday evening.

Deputies responded to a mobile home park on the 7400 block of Hollister Avenue to a report of a male subject in his underwear who was demonstrating erratic and violent behavior.

When sheriff’s deputies arrived at the scene they located Thomas Brostromrich, 43, a resident at the mobile home park. They determined Brostromrich had entered a neighbor’s residence with two juvenile females inside.

Deputeis said Brostromish was wearing only his underwear when he walked directly to one of the juvenile female’s bedrooms. He was confronted by their grandfather who was babysitting.

Brostromrich began trying to open the door to the bedroom as the grandfather attempted to get him to leave.

Brostromrich then assaulted the grandfather and continued to try and get access to the room.

One of the juveniles screamed, which caused Brostromrich to pick up a nearby skateboard and threaten to strike the grandfather.

Brostromrich then went to another neighbor and banged loudly on their front door before fleeing back to his own residence.

As the deputy was conducting the first stages of the investigation, Brostromrich exited his residence. The deputy attempted to detain Brostromrich who began to actively resist arrest and attempt to flee.

Additional units responded to the scene.

Brostromrich continued to be combative and resist arrest but was eventually taken into custody. Several deputies received abrasions during the incident but did not require medical assistance.

Brostromrich was taken to a local hospital for a medical clearance after suffering abrasions and a laceration to his nose.

Deputies determined that Brostromrich had been stalking one of the female juveniles for several weeks.

Brostromrich had attempted to engage the 13-year-old girl in conversation and reportedly watched her on the playground.

None of this activity had been reported to the Sheriff’s Office.

Due to Brostromrich’s behavior and statements he provided to investigators,officers determined that Brostromrich had entered the residence to attempt a sexual assault.

Brostromrich was arrested and booked on charges of stalking, burglary, battery, brandishing a weapon other than a firearm, theft of the skateboard, resisting, obstructing and delaying an officer, assault on a peace officer and resisting an executive officer through force, violence or fear.

He is being held on $150,000 bail.