Suspect In Glen Cove Stabbing Death Arrested In California

GLEN COVE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A man suspected of fatally stabbing his girlfriend in a Glen Cove shopping center parking lot has month has been arrested after being tracked down in California.

Authorities said Wednesday they found Jose Cartagena in McFarland, California, working on a farm picking grape leaves, WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported.

"Mr. Cartagena fled to California. He knew no one in that area. He met people along the way and was housed," said Nassau County police Capt. John Azzata. "He arrived in Los Angeles, California on Friday. I believe that was the 3rd. And he already had a job, he started a job on Monday on a farm."

Azzata said Cartagena used a fake name with those he met, going by Edwardo, 1010 WINS' Holli Haerr reported.

Cartagena, 54, has been charged with the murder of his former live-in girlfriend, 32-year-old Yanira Martinez. She was killed in broad daylight on March 26 while walking to pick up her 5-year-old daughter from school.

Azzata said Cartagena killed Martinez because she moved out of the home they were sharing.

"His anger built and he ultimately killed her," Azzata said.

Azzata said Martinez's daughter is in the custody of Child Protective Services. Her father lives in El Salvador.