NEW YORK, USA — Police here have arrested a suspect in the murders of three Jamaicans whose bodies were discovered in a house in south Jamaica, Queens, just over a week ago.

Police and media reports say the suspect, Travis Blake, 29, was taken into custody in the state of Maine on Thursday, a day after he was listed as a suspect in the gruesome murders.

Blake, a Brooklyn Navy Yard employee, was picked up following a tip, according to police sources. He is expected to face an extradition hearing after the Fourth of July holiday to secure his return to New York for trial.

The bodies of the three Jamaicans – Karlene Barnett, 55; her son, Dervon Brightly, 35; and family friend Varshanna (Brittany) Malcolm, 22, who is believed to have been visiting at the time – were found with multiple stab wounds inside the single-family house.

Malcolm’s hands were bound and her mouth duct-taped, police sources said. It is believed that all three victims were murdered at least three days prior to the discovery of their bodies.

No official motive has been established for the murders, but the New York Daily News reported Saturday that it may be related to efforts by Barnett to evict Blake who was residing at the house.

Police were able to identify Blake as a suspect in the murders as he was reportedly seen leaving the house around the time of the incident.

The killing of the three victims brings to six the number of Jamaicans killed in the New York Metro area this year.