Suspect Arrested in Mexicali for Valley Village Arson-Murder

Members of a United States Marshal's Fugitive Task Force notified the Los Angeles Police Department yesterday afternoon they had arrested Omar Armando Loera, the suspect in the July 24 murder of a woman in her Valley Village Home.

Authorities tracked Loera to Mexico, and he was eventually tracked to the border town of Mexicali. Prior, the LAPD had briefly believed Loera was still in the vicinity, and had conducted a search of hiking trails in nearby Studio City.

Loera is wanted for arson and homicide; he was named as the suspect soon after authorities launched their investigation of the bizarre case wherein Cheree Osmanhodzic was killed in her home shortly after her fiance had left to run an errand. When he returned, the suspect had ignited a fire in the home, and fled the scene. Osmanhodzic and her fiance were to be wed just a few weeks later.

Loera is being extradited to the United States, where it is expected he will be charged with the crimes.