Suspect Arrested In Fatal Home Invasion Where Police Knocked But Left Without Helping

VALLEY VILLAGE, CA — A burglar suspected of entering a Valley Village apartment through a skylight and murdering the resident during a violent struggle was found at a local hospital and arrested, the Los Angeles Police Department announced Friday.

The arrest raises as many questions as it answers in a case that stunned the community and prompted fear of a serial killer at large. It also became a black eye for the LAPD because the slaying was the second time in less than a week that officers were called to a San Fernando Valley home during a fatal home invasion without ever making it past the front door to find the victim or suspects, the Los Angeles Times reported. In both cases, the victims' bodies were found hours or days later long after the suspects left.

SEE ALSO: Footage Of Suspected Intruder In Valley Village Slaying Released

Erick Escamilla, 27, was located Thursday at hospital where he was being treated for an unspecified medical issue, according to the LAPD. He was booked Friday in connection with the April 23 killing of 53-year-old Menashe Hidra, who was also known as Manny, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

“No one should have to endure the terror of someone breaking into their home, where people feel the safest and being brutally murdered,” District Attorney Hochman said. “Crimes like this shake our collective sense of security. We will seek justice for the victim’s family and ensure accountability for the person responsible for this vicious crime.”

Although the killing occurred around 3 a.m. April 23, Hidra's body was not found until 2:30 p.m. April 26, when police made a welfare check at the apartment in the 12600 block of Riverside Drive, between Whitsett and Coldwater Canyon avenues. Hidra was pronounced dead at the scene.

LAPD officers, who originally responded April 23 to 911 calls from neighbors who reported sounds of a fight inside Hidra's fifth-floor apartment, left after knocking on the door. They never entered the apartment.

"I want to acknowledge that there are questions surrounding the initial police response to the incident," LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said during a Friday news conference. "The Los Angeles Police Department is aware of these circumstances and we've initiated an internal administrative investigation to examine all facets of that. We're unable to comment or provide details at this time since the investigation is ongoing."

Escamilla remained hospitalized as of Friday, according to LAPD homicide Lt. Guy Golan.

"I cannot comment specifically on his condition, however, he is currently receiving medical treatment," Golan said. "We are currently in the process of absentee booking Escamilla. When deemed appropriate by medical personnel, he will be discharged from the hospital and later presented for arraignment."

According to Golan, Escamilla accessed the roof of the apartment building and used a skylight to enter the apartment next door to Hidra's unit. Escamilla then climbed from the balcony of the vacant unit to the one attached to Hidra's apartment and went inside, leading to a "violent confrontation" with the victim.

Escamilla was charged Thursday with one count each of murder and residential burglary. The murder charge includes a special circumstance allegation of murder during the commission of a burglary, along with allegations that he personally used a screwdriver in attacking the victim and that he has a prior strike for a residential burglary.

Investigators did not say if Escamilla knew or targeted Hidra.

Prosecutors will decide later whether to seek the death penalty against Escamilla.

McDonnell credited the work of homicide investigators and cooperation with the FBI Fugitive Task Force for locating the suspect.

"Over the past several weeks, investigators, forensic experts and technical personnel have worked tirelessly to gather evidence and pursue every lead," McDonnell said. "This includes interviewing witnesses, securing warrants, using advanced technologies and ensuring that no stone was left unturned in the pursuit of justice."

It was unclear how long Escamilla has been hospitalized nor how police tracked him down at the hospital.

Anyone with information regarding the killing was urged to call Valley Bureau homicide detectives at 818-374-9550. Calls during non-business hours should be made to 877-527-3247. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.

In another case that was apparently unrelated, police responded to the home invasion slaying of Aleksandre Modebadze in Woodland Hills the same day they found Hidra's body. Once again, they failed to enter the home after knocking on the door. Modebadze's body was found hours later during a return visit.

Three men have been arrested and charged with murder in connection with Modebadeze's killing. Police have not identified a connection between the two slayings, but both are being investigated for the LAPD's initial response to 911 calls.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.