Suspect with knife charged with fatal stab a postal worker at a New York deli during an argument over who’s next in line has a violent criminal past.
Jaia Cruz, described by authorities as transgender, was charged with second-degree murder on Thursday stabbing and cutting of duty mailman Ray Hodges at a Harlem deli while Hodges was on his way to lunch.
The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) confirmed that Hodges is the victim.
Suspect accused of burning woman to death on New York subway before deportation ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT
NYPD has arrested a suspect in the fatal stabbing of a USPS employee on duty at a Harlem deli Thursday afternoon. (Peter Gerber)
Hodges, 36, was taken to a hospital in Harlem, where he was pronounced dead.
The New York Post reported that Cruz had five prior arrests for crimes involving knives. In July 2020, Cruz waved an open box cutter at another person in midtown Manhattan and yelled, “I’m going to cut him,” police sources told the newspaper.
NYC MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER AFTER ALLEGEDLY PUSHING PASSENGER ON SUBWAY STOP
Two postal clerks stand outside the Harlem deli where the deliveryman on duty was stabbed to death. (Fox New York)
Cruz was ordered to the ground but refused and was arrested for resisting arrest.
Two weeks later, Cruz was arrested again for his alleged role in a robbery, using knives to take a man’s wallet and phone after the victim asked the couple out.
The NYPD has charged a woman in the fatal stabbing of a USPS clerk on duty at a Harlem deli Thursday afternoon. (Peter Gerber)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
In a statement, USPIS said it “considers matters involving the safety and well-being of Postal Service employees a top priority. We are working diligently with the New York City Police Department on this investigation.”
