LI BRIEFS

HEMPSTEAD/Police launch homicide probe after body found

Police are investigating a homicide after the body of a man was found Friday morning in a parked car in Hempstead, police said.

The man, described as Hispanic, was found at 5:42 a.m. in the rear of 95 Jerusalem Ave. His body was taken to the Nassau County medical examiner's morgue "to determine exact cause of death."

"There is no further information at this time and further details will be released when available," police said in a Friday news release.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS. Callers will remain anonymous. - JOHN VALENTI

SHIRLEY/Cops: Man in woods died of internal bleeding

A man whose body was found Wednesday in woods just off William Floyd Parkway in Shirley died of internal bleeding, said police, who are trying to determine the circumstances of his death.

Jose Fermin Sanchez's last-known address was on Windus Drive in Shirley, Suffolk County police said.

The body of Sanchez, 30, was found Wednesday at 5:25 p.m. by a group of people walking through the woods, about 100 yards north of Roberts Road.

It was not immediately clear Friday if Fermin Sanchez has family on Long Island. - JOHN VALENTI

HUNTINGTON/Suffolk reports 12th case of West Nile virus

Suffolk County health officials reported Friday that an unidentified Town of Huntington resident, age over 55, has a confirmed case of the West Nile virus and has been hospitalized. Officials said the person began experiencing fever, chills and altered mental status Sept. 18.

That brings the total number of confirmed human cases of the mosquito-borne virus in Suffolk so far this year to 12 - seven from the Town of Babylon, three from the Town of Huntington, one from Brookhaven and one from Islip.

Of the 12 cases, there has been one death, a Brookhaven Town resident who died Sept. 23, the third West Nile death on the Island this year. There have been a total of five deaths in Suffolk associated with West Nile virus since it was first detected in 1999.

In September health officials said 387 mosquito pools tested positive for West Nile virus in Nassau and Suffolk this year, an 11-year high. Mosquito season extends from June 1 through Nov. 1.

- DEBORAH S. MORRIS

New Jersey/TV reporter accused of sexually assaulting girl

Fox 5 in New York reporter Charles Leaf faces sexual assault charges following his arrest in New Jersey, officials said.

According to the station's website, Leaf was charged with aggravated sexual assault on a minor and endangering the welfare of children. Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said the charges stem from accusations that Leaf sexually abused a 4-year-old female acquaintance at his home in Wyckoff. He was arrested at his home on Tuesday and is being held on $250,000 bail.

The 41-year-old Leaf, a former Marine, joined the station in 2006.

A station representative said Fox 5 management is aware of the matter and is reviewing it.

It was unclear on Friday whether Leaf has an attorney. - AP