A man suspected of breaking into a Murrieta house Wednesday and attacking the seniors inside with a screwdriver, fatally stabbing one victim before fleeing and trying unsuccessfully to hide from police.
Manuel Arturo Alvarez, 36, of Modesto was arrested and booked Wednesday into the Byrd Detention Center on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. Alvarez is being held without bail.
According to the Murrieta Police Department, shortly after 8 a.m. Wednesday, a couple were in their residence on Old Spring Road, near Dove Hollow Lane, when Alvarez allegedly forced his way into their house.
Capt. Jeremy Durrant alleged the suspect was wielding a screwdriver and stabbed both victims, inflicting a mortal wound to the head of the 70-year-old property owner. The victim’s wife was injured but managed to call 911 after the assailant fled out the back door, Durrant said.
Alvarez ran into a ravine before patrol officers converged on the location, Durrant said.
The woman was taken to a regional trauma center for treatment of her wounds. Her spouse was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
Officers worked to track down the suspect, deploying a police dog to find him, according to Durrant. Roughly a half-hour later, the officers “located the male in the ravine behind a nearby residence on Wild Flower Drive,” Durrant said.
“The male failed to comply with officers’ commands and concealed himself in nearby bushes,” Durrant said. “After several minutes of unsuccessful attempts to gain compliance, the K-9 was deployed to assist in apprehending the male. He was quickly taken into custody.”
Alvarez suffered minor injuries during the confrontation with the canine and was treated before he was taken to jail Wednesday afternoon. No officers were hurt.
A possible motive for the attack was not disclosed.
The woman was in stable condition, according to Durrant.
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation was asked to call detectives at 951-461-6365.