Salinas man found guilty of stabbing person who confronted him about kicking dog

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) A Salinas man was found guilty by a jury of stabbing a man who confronted him about kicking a woman's dog.

In March 2019, the 20-year-old victim was outside Dorothy's Kitchen in Salinas' Chinatown when he saw 51-year-old Mark Anthony Cruz kicking a woman's dog across the street. He told Cruz to stop, and a verbal fight began.

Cruz crossed the street and approached the victim. He then pulled out a concealed folding knife and stabbed the man in the ribcage. He has since fully recovered from his injuries.

Police arrested Cruz a few minutes later when they found him with blood on his hands and the knife in his jacket pocket.

Cruz was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon. The date of his sentencing has not been set yet.