Investigator comes to defense of detective in kidnap case

Friday, April 14, 2000 | 9:50 a.m.

Paul Hecht says detective William Brooks was working with him on a case of potential fraud that involves dozens of senior citizens and large amounts of cash.

Hecht said the case is also being investigated by state officials.

Hecht said Brooks was not trying to hurt anyone on the morning of Feb. 20 when Lynn Malloy said Brooks attacked her in the store parking lot.

Hecht claims that Brooks was merely trying to contact a woman he thought could lead him to a man involved in the case. The two had been unsuccessful in trying to locate the man on their own.

Brooks is out of jail on a $53,000 bond. Justice of the Peace Nancy Oesterle said earlier this week she will decide Wednesday whether to send his case to trial.

He has been charged with first-degree kidnapping, burglarly, attempted extortion/collection of a debt with the use of a deadly weapon and attempted robbery.

Until the Feb. 20 incident Brooks had no criminal record and a distinguished 11-year career with the North Las Vegas Police Department.

He retired in 1999 but was rehired a week before the incident. He has told Las Vegas Metropolitan Police he was doing private investigation work during his retirement.