Man sentenced after fatally stabbing victim and then stealing his car in Encanto

A man who fatally stabbed another man in the O’Farrell neighborhood, then stole the victim’s car, was sentenced Monday to 14 years in state prison.

David Nava, 23, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and other charges in connection with the Aug. 24, 2024, killing of 55-year-old Francisco Cruz.

Police said that after Cruz did not show up for work, his family members went to check on him at his Madrone Avenue residence and found him dead.

Nava was tracked down in Cruz’s vehicle the following day in Orange County after the car was flagged by the Automated License Plate Recognition system, according to police.

An Orange County sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop the car at around 3:30 a.m. Aug. 25, at which point Nava ditched the car and was arrested after a foot chase with the deputy.

Along with the manslaughter count, Nava pleaded guilty to charges of vehicle theft and resisting arrest.