Man stabbed to death while eating lunch on break in his vehicle, California cops say

A man eating lunch on his break in his vehicle died after being attacked “without provocation,” California sheriff’s officials reported.

Manuel Covarrubias died of stab wounds to his head and neck after being taken to a hospital following the attack in Lancaster at about 8 a.m. March 12, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a Wednesday, March 19, news release.

Ruben Rosario, 23, of Lancaster, approached Covarrubias as he ate lunch and began stabbing him, deputies said. He fled in his own vehicle, according to deputies.

On Friday, March 14, deputies spotted his vehicle and arrested Rosario on a charge of murder, sheriff’s officials said.

Deputies did not say whether Rosario and Covarrubias knew each other or provide a motive for the unprovoked assault.

Investigators ask anyone with information to call 323-890-5500.

Lancaster is about a 70-mile drive north from Los Angeles.

This story was originally published March 20, 2025 at 1:46 PM with the headline "Man stabbed to death while eating lunch on break in his vehicle, California cops say."