Grand Jury Investigating Disgraced Homicide Detective

A grand jury has been convened to investigate claims of wrongdoing by a former Philadelphia homicide detective, NBC10 has confirmed.

Ron Dove, a 16-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police force, was fired earlier this month following a 30 day suspension for allegedly lying to investigators. Police sources said Dove became the subject of scrutiny after evidence surfaced he helped his girlfriend following a murder.

Erica Sanchez, 33, allegedly stabbed her ex-husband, Cesar Vera, to death in September. Sources say after the crime, Dove allegedly moved Sanchez's vehicle from the scene, gave her his car, hired her an attorney and told co-workers to go easy on her.

At the same time, sources say, evidence found on Dove's iPad, which was confiscated by police, suggested the detective may have covered up three murders and the disappearance of a man.

The allegations prompted police and the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office to re-examine those cases.

Crime scene investigators were dispatched to a dirt alley in North Philadelphia to dig for evidence in late November. There, sources say, a human's lower jawbone was recovered. Police are conducting DNA testing to determine whether the bone belongs to Reynaldo Torres.

Torres has been missing since last May. He was last seen with his friend Melanie Colon, who was found murdered later that month. Sources said Dove investigated both cases.

The family of Leslie Delzingaro, a lighting saleswoman who was murdered in a shooting inside an Olney bar in July 2010, claims Dove bungled their daughter's case. The family claims the detective was dismissive and admitted the bar owner was a friend of his. Police say they are investigating the claims.

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