Woman Charged With Postal Worker's Murder In Harlem Deli: NYPD

HARLEM, NY — A woman has been arrested and accused of killing a postal worker inside a deli in Harlem on Thursday, New York City Police Department officials said.

According to the NYPD, Jaia Cruz, 24, was charged with murder in the second degree after Ray Hodges, 36, was stabbed to death inside 168 Lenox Ave. at 2:38 p.m. on Thursday.

NYPD sources said that the attack happened after an argument between the two.

Hodges was rushed by emergency responders to NYC Health+Hospitals/Harlem, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

Hodges was a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service's Morningside Station, the organization confirmed. Attacking or killing a mail carrier can be charged as a federal crime.

"We are working diligently with the New York City Police Department on this investigation," a spokesperson from USPS said.

Cruz was arrested later that night in Harlem, police said.

This is a developing story and may be updated. For questions and tips, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.