FBI'S RAID CATCHES WRONG MAN; HUNT FOR KILLER HITS DEAD END IN CANOGA PARK.

Byline: Lisa Van Proyen Daily News Staff Writer

When Jose Ricardo Meza jumped out of bed, bolted through a window and fled from police wearing only his underwear Wednesday, authorities thought they had found the suspect in a 9-year-old murder case.

They were wrong.

The 33-year-old man was not Martin Cardenas Meza, a 35-year-old man who police described as a dangerous fugitive responsible for a 1990 homicide in Compton.

Martin Cardenas Meza also is wanted by Mexican authorities for a kidnapping, shooting at police, and escaping from a Baja California state prison, police said.

Jose Ricardo Meza is not.

``We knew it when we put on the handcuffs. This guy didn't have any tattoos,'' said agent Scott Garriola from the FBI's Fugitive Task Force. ``It happens every once in a while. You knock on the door and people run, thinking you're after them.''

Still, it turns out that Jose Ricardo Meza had a reason for running: He was arrested for two misdemeanor warrants on outstanding assault charges, said Laura Bosley, an FBI spokeswoman based in Los Angeles.

The joint task force of FBI agents, the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies converged on the house about 7:30 a.m. after receiving a tip that Martin Meza had escaped from prison in Mexico and was back in Los Angeles.

They thought he was living in the 6900 block of Cozycroft Avenue.

After chasing Jose Meza over a wall, along a flood control wash and into his Canoga Park neighbors' yards, they finally tracked him down about a half-hour later in a stranger's garage in the 7100 block of Cozycroft.

The man they were looking for has numerous tattoos over his body, including a prominent Tweety Bird scrolled across his chest, said Detective Fred Castro of the sheriff's homicide bureau.

Martin Meza is a 5-foot-8-inch tall Latino who weighs 170 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, Castro said.

``He's a very dangerous individual,'' Castro said.

Even though they did not have their man, there were some tense moments. ``We were worried the guy was inside (one of the homes) and would take shots at us,'' Garriola said.

Jose Ricardo Meza was being held on $15,000 bail.

Those with information on the fugitive are asked to contact the FBI at [phone].

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PHOTO MARTIN MEZA