5 Arrested in Slaying of LA Sheriff's Sergeant

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Five people have been arrested in connection with the October slaying of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sergeant Steve Owen, who was killed responding to a report of a burglary in progress.

The four men and a woman are accused of attempting to help Owen’s alleged killer evade arrest in the hectic moments that followed the shooting.

According to prosecutors, Owen, a 53-year-old father of two, was killed execution style by Trenton Trevon Lovell in Lancaster. Investigators allege Owen arrived on the scene, coming face to face with Lovell, who shot him then stood over him and shot him four more times. Police say Lovell then attempted to run down another deputy before leading police on a brief manhunt and busting into a nearby home to hold two teenagers hostage.

While Lovell was caught and is awaiting trial on capital murder charges, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department announced the arrest of the alleged accomplices Friday. However, police would not say how the five are alleged to have aided Lovell in his effort to evade arrest. Citing the ongoing investigation, a sheriff’s spokesman declined to tell Patch what role they played or why their arrest comes months after the slaying.
Four suspects, 31year-old Lydell Herd, 28 year-old Robert Thomas, 24 year-old Richard Cowley, and 27 year-old Larry Johnson, are residents of Los Angeles. The 5th suspect, 18 year-old Deshawn Peterson, is a resident of Lancaster.

Owen was a married father of two grown children and a 29-year department veteran. Promoted to sergeant five years ago, he received a Meritorious Conduct Medal in 2014 for his role in a pursuit and standoff situation involving a series of armed gang members