VALLEY VILLAGE, California — A suspect in the fatal stabbing of a man during a break-in at an apartment complex has been apprehended, according to Los Angeles police. The arrest occurred following a welfare check that revealed the victim’s body on April 26.
Police identified the deceased as Menashe Hidra, a 53-year-old resident of the Ashton Sherman Village apartments. Officers found him unresponsive in his fifth-floor unit after friends expressed concern for his wellbeing. Initial investigations indicated that Hidra had been involved in a violent struggle with the individual who unlawfully entered his home.
Detectives quickly identified the suspect as 27-year-old Erick Escamilla. On Thursday, law enforcement officials, working with the FBI, located Escamilla at a hospital, where he was receiving medical treatment. Details regarding his condition or the nature of his injuries have not been disclosed.
Authorities allege that Escamilla entered Hidra’s apartment by accessing an adjacent vacant unit through a skylight and then traversing the building’s balconies. Surveillance footage from a nearby Ring doorbell captured the suspect attempting to use a screwdriver to gain entry into other apartments in the complex.
Residents expressed their concerns about safety within the complex prior to the incident, noting a rise in sightings of transients. They claimed to have alerted management multiple times about unauthorized individuals entering the property, emphasizing a growing fear among tenants.
Although the investigation is ongoing, police have not released several details about the circumstances leading to the confrontation between Escamilla and Hidra. Community members are left grappling with the aftermath of the violent encounter, sparking discussions about safety measures within the apartment complex.
Hidra’s death has left a profound impact on those living in the vicinity, as questions loom about security protocols and the potential for future incidents. The LAPD continues to encourage anyone with additional information to come forward as they work to piece together the events surrounding this tragic incident.