The woman accused of stabbing a postal worker to death over a spot in line at a Harlem deli has a history of knife violence — and once threatened “to cut” one of her previous victims.
Jaia Cruz was arrested at least five times before she allegedly carried out the ruthless killing Thursday, law enforcement sources told The Post.
In July 2020, Cruz was caught waving an open box cutter at another person in Midtown West and shouting, “I’m going to cut him,” sources said. Cruz was ordered to get on the ground but refused.
Jaia Cruz has been arrested after allegedly stabbing and killing a US postal worker on January 2, 2025, in Harlem. Christopher Sadowski
Postal worker Ray Hodges was fatally stabbed. Obtained by NY Post
Jaia Cruz was arrested at least five times before the attack, according to reports. Christopher SadowskiCruz was ordered to get on the ground, but refused. She was then pulled away by officers and busted for resisting arrest.
Just two weeks later, Cruz was arrested again for a 4:30 a.m. tag-team robbery — she and another individual used knives to steal a man’s phone and wallet after the victim invited the pair to “hang out.”
The repeat offender — who has been described by cops as a transgendered woman — now faces murder charges for the brutal knifing of Ray Hodges, an on-duty USPS letter carrier who was grabbing lunch at the deli at 168 Lenox Ave.
A memorial site for Hodges, 36. Brigitte Stelzer
A postal worker was stabbed and killed inside a deli in Harlem just before 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. FreedomNewsTV/Ken Lopez
Cops arrive at the scene of the stabbing. FreedomNewsTV/Ken LopezHodges, 36, skipped the line directly in front of Cruz, inciting the knife-wielding woman, sources said.
She then allegedly gutted him in the stomach. He was rushed to Harlem Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, cops said.
