January 22, 2015
Police /for PhillyVoice
Detective Ron Dove hid his girlfriend and helped cover up the murder of her ex-husband, the city's district attorney says.
A Philadelphia police homicide detective helped cover up the murder of his girlfriend’s ex-husband, Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams announced Thursday during a press conference.
Philadelphia homicide detective Ron Dove has been indicted by a grand jury on charges of obstruction of justice and conspiracy surrounding the death of Cesar Vera, the ex-husband of Dove’s then-girlfriend, Erica Sanchez, who prosecutors said committed the murder.
According to a report by NBC 10, Vera was stabbed to death inside his North Philadelphia home on Sept. 8, 2014.
A blood-soaked Sanchez came to Dove after the stabbing and the detective helped arrange for her to flee the city, according to Williams.
After the murder, Dove hid his girlfriend, gave her money and helped her clean and hide her car, in addition to withholding evidence and facts from his fellow police officers, Williams said.
Prosecutors said toll records and video showed Dove booked the woman a hotel room in Rochester, New York, drove her there and bought her a new cell phone.
When he returned to Philadelphia, the detective cleaned Sanchez's car and asked a body shop owner to keep it hidden in his garage, officials said.
Dove, a 16-year veteran of the department, was fired from the force in December 2013 after allegations of his involvement in the murder.
At the time, sources said Dove was also being investigated for allegedly covering up three murders.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
