License plate readers help California detectives make arrest in fatal stabbing, police say

San Diego police announced Monday they arrested a suspect in a fatal Encanto stabbing after authorities in Orange County found him in the victim’s missing car.

David Nava, 22, was arrested on suspicion of murder and vehicle theft in connection with the death of Francisco Cruz, 55, who was found stabbed multiple times at his residence on Madrone Avenue near 65th Street around 2 p.m. Saturday, homicide Lt. Jud Campbell said during a news conference Monday.

Investigators said Cruz was found at the residence by family members after he did not show up for work. He died before he could be taken to a hospital.

After homicide detectives arrived, they learned Cruz’s car had been stolen, Campbell said.

The car’s license plate was immediately placed on the “hotlist” for the automated license plate recognition system the department has been using since December, officials said.

A hit on the stolen vehicle came back in the Dana Point area of Orange County on their automated license plate reader program, officials said.

Around 3:25 a.m., an Orange County sheriff’s deputy spotted the car in the Capistrano Beach neighborhood and tried to initiate a traffic stop, Campbell said.

The driver, later identified as Nava, attempted to run away from the vehicle. He was taken into custody after a short foot pursuit.

Nava was taken back to San Diego to be booked into jail, Campbell said.

Investigators said they are trying to determine if Nava and Cruz knew each other.