Suffolk cops make arrest in shooting death of homeless man, police say

A Bay Shore man was held without bail Tuesday after he was charged with the shooting death of a homeless man whose body was found on the streets of Central Islip last week.

Enrique Vega Jr., 47, of Central Boulevard, was arraigned Tuesday in Central Islip on charges of second-degree murder and third- and fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, Suffolk police said.

Vega used a handgun to shoot the victim, Michael Evans, 54, in the torso shortly before 1 a.m. on Nov. 26 on East Suffolk Avenue near Church Street in Central Islip, according to charging documents. Vega, who was arrested Monday, was also found in possession of crack cocaine, police said.

Efforts to reach Vega's court appointed attorney, Joseph Hanshe of Sayville, were not successful.

Vega is due back in court Dec. 11.

With Ellen Yan

By Robert Brodsky

robert.brodsky@newsday.com@BrodskyRobert

Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.