Homeless Woman Stabs Random Orthodox Jew In New York

LAKEWOOD – An orthodox Jewish man was stabbed by a woman in a parking lot near Ashley and Cedarbridge avenues Tuesday morning in what appeared to be a random and unprovoked attack, police said.

The victim, who was treated for a puncture wound, chased down his assailant, who was then taken into custody, according to police.

Township police were called just after 9 a.m. for a report of a stabbing. Arriving officers found both the victim, a 36-year-old Lakewood man, and the suspect, later identified as Erika Cruz, 38, in the Center Street parking lot, said Capt. Gregory Staffordsmith, a spokesman for Lakewood police.

Erika Cruz, 38, was charged in connection with a stabbing in Lakewood on Dec. 29.
The victim told police that the assailant, "without provocation" stabbed him in an adjacent parking lot as he loaded his vehicle with pastries, Staffordsmith said.

Cruz, who police said is homeless, then ran to the nearby Center Street lot while the victim chased after her, police said.

The victim "held her at bay" until police arrived to place her under arrest, according to Staffordsmith.