'Drifter' arrested in brutal murder of Canadian actor in Hollywood Hills, police say

HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A man described as a "drifter" by police was arrested in connection to the brutal murder of a Canadian actor inside a Hollywood Hills home.

Los Angeles police say the man, believed to be homeless, was arrested in another state for the killing of 41-year-old Richard Hong, who investigators say was bludgeoned to death.

"As a result of evidence obtained that the suspect left at scene, as a result of cameras that the community had, they were able to track him down and make an arrest," said LAPD Capt. Cory Palka.

Police have not identified the suspect but say he is in his early 20s, had been in Hollywood a short time and had been seen in the Whitley Heights neighborhood on the day of the killing.

"He does have a criminal history. He has a couple of violent crimes that he has been arrested for," Palka said.

Hong had been staying in the home of his good friend Canadian television and radio talk show host George Stroumboulopoulos while Stroumboulopoulos was out of town.

The LAPD met with concerned residents Monday night, announcing the arrest, confident that they've taken a cold-blooded killer off the streets.

"The manner in which he committed the crime was brutal. He was bludgeoned to death. It was very violent and just a tragedy," Pallka said.

Detectives hope to return that suspect to Southern California within 48 hours. That's when he is expected to be charged with murder.