Harlem deli worker stabs two brothers violently shoplifting, killing one

A Harlem deli worker stabbed two brothers he caught shoplifting inside his store, killing one of them, police said Wednesday.

The chaos began inside the 94 St. Nicholas Deli on St. Nicholas Place near W. 155th St. when one of the brothers tried to swipe a container of shrimp around 9:45 p.m. Tuesday, police sources said.

Workers stopped the man from shoplifting and threw him out. But moments later the would-be thief returned with his brother.

The brothers, ages 25 and 29, started pocketing food and threw a stool and other heavy objects at the workers behind the counter, police sources said.

A brawl broke out and a 34-year-old employee lunged at the two men with a knife, stabbing both of them in the chest, cops said.

Medics rushed both brothers to Harlem Hospital where the younger man died, cops said. His name was not immediately released.

Cops recovered the knife at the scene and took the deli employee to the 30th Precinct stationhouse for questioning. Charges against him were pending.