Aliquippa police out of investigation

to. He’s down three people so he’s under a lot of pressure,” Mr. Lozier said, referring to recent personnel upheaval at the department.

As for the status of the DelTondo case, Mr. Lozier said, “I’m comfortable where we are in the investigation, but we have to wait for forensics to verify certain facts before we make an arrest. … The electronic, the DNA, fingerprints — all that takes weeks, sometimes months.”

Asked whether investigators had a suspect, he said, “I can’t say that.”

Mr. Lozier said he met with the new chief Thursday morning to congratulate him on his appointment and offer assistance in general. He said he became aware Wednesday that the department was leaning toward ending its involvement with the DelTondo case.

“There were lots of meetings yesterday. I think there was a full day of meetings between the chief, his personnel, city council,” Mr. Lozier said.

Chief Sealock’s decision comes amid a turbulent time for the small department, which went through three chiefs in three days. Last week, the city council voted unanimously to place Chief Donald A. Couch Jr. on paid administrative leave so an unspecified “accusation” could be investigated.

His replacement, Assistant Chief Joseph Perciavalle III, was arrested Friday, charged with sending a sexually explicit text to a 17year-old girl who is a witness in Ms. DelTondo’s homicide.

Separately, Sgt. Kenneth Watkins was placed on paid leave the day after Ms. DelTondo’s death because he, his wife and 17-year-old daughter were close friends with the slain teacher and needed time to grieve, according to then-Chief Couch.