LAPD arrests suspect accused of killing man after breaking into Valley Village apartment

VALLEY VILLAGE, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A suspect accused of killing a man after breaking into his Valley Village apartment was arrested Thursday.

The arrest comes after Los Angeles police officers found Menashe Hidra's body on April 26 during a welfare check at the Ashton Sherman Village complex in the 12600 block of Riverside Drive.

Police identified the suspect as 27-year-old Erick Escamilla, who was found by the FBI and LAPD detectives Thursday at a local hospital. It's unclear what Escamilla was being treated for, but he will be booked once he is medically cleared, according to LAPD.

Hidra, 53, died following a physical altercation when Escamilla allegedly broke into his fifth-floor apartment, police said in a news release. Police accuse Escamilla of breaking into the victim's apartment after "entering through a skylight in an adjacent vacant apartment and traversing the balconies."

Escamilla was allegedly seen on Ring doorbell video trying to get into apartments using a screwdriver. The LAPD also released images of the suspect showing him wearing a dark-colored jacket and a hat.

Residents of the apartment complex told Eyewitness News that they had notified management of their safety concerns prior to the murder and had complained about transients breaking into the complex.

News of the arrest has brought little relief to the tenants.

Haifa Nesheiwat lives at the complex and knew the victim, who she called Manny.

"Just a few days before the incident my mom said 'lock your balcony door' and I laughed at her," Nesheiwat said. "Tell me why a few days later I find out Manny is murdered - through the balcony door. This could have been me."

Residents are frustrated that they've gotten little help from the property management company and said the murder was preventable.

"I just really hope there's justice for Manny and his family," Nesheiwat said. "Because his family right now, I don't know what they're going through and I can't imagine, but it's a shame."

Eyewitness News reached out to the property management company for comment but has not heard back.

Since the murder, residents said security was temporarily hired to patrol the property.