Private detective Clifford S. Aley surrendered yesterday on three felony charges of hindering a Mercer County murder investigation.

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After five days as a fugitive, Aley turned himself in to state police and then appeared before District Judge Lawrence Silvis in Jackson Center. Silvis set Aley's bail at $50,000. He was being booked into the Mercer County Jail last night.

Aley, 47, is accused of lying to police about the disappearance more than five years ago of Sandra Kay Baker. Investigators also say Aley was "instrumental" in getting rid of Baker's car after she vanished and presumably was murdered.

Baker's fiance, William Crea Jr., has been named by state police as the suspect in her disappearance and death. Crea, however, has not been arrested or charged with a crime, state police Cpl. Brad Mifsud of Mercer said yesterday.

Crea, 50, hired Aley to investigate Baker during their engagement. Police recently discovered that Aley had uncovered "derogatory" information about Baker's personal and financial history.

Aley turned over his findings to Crea about the time Baker disappeared, but then lied about working for Crea, police said.

Baker's body has never been found, but state police say they are convinced she was murdered. They list her as a homicide victim, as well as a missing person.

Baker, 46 when she disappeared, would be 52 today. No one has seen her since the morning of May 25, 2000. Crea told police she called him later that day and told him she was in danger. He said she promised to call him again in a few days, but never did.

Aley may be the key to the government's case. If he cooperates with police now, they believe he could help unravel a murder conspiracy.

Aley lives in Ambridge and operates Sloan Detective Agency in New Castle. He promoted himself as a specialist in digging up background information on girlfriends and boyfriends, husbands and wives.

As for Crea, he continues to live in the same home in Delaware Township, Mercer County, that he shared with Baker before she vanished.