LANCASTER – A suspect is in custody in connection with the murder of Stephen Finson, the Lancaster man found shot to death Feb. 24 after riding out to the desert on his all-terrain vehicle.
Arturo Lopez, 38, was arrested for the murder early Wednesday morning, after deputies served a search warrant at his home, according to a press release from the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station. Read it below:
Early this morning (April 30), Lancaster deputies, assisted by members of the Special Enforcement Bureau, served a search warrant at two locations in the unincorporated area of east of Lancaster.
During the service of the warrant, deputies arrested resident Arturo Lopez (male, 38 years of age) for the murder of Stephen Finson.
Mr. Finson was murdered while riding his ATC near 135th St East and Avenue H on February 24, 2014.
Two other adults were arrested for unrelated narcotics charges and child endangerment. Three children were taken into protective custody.
Mr. Lopez was transported to Lancaster Station where he is being held in lieu of a NO BAIL warrant.
The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information regarding this murder is urged to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau Sergeant Martindale or Detective Q. Rodriguez at (323) 890-5500. Information can also be received anonymously at www.lacrimestoppers.org or (800) 222-8477.
During the afternoon of Sunday, Feb. 23, Finson went for a ride on his all-terrain cycle, but failed to return home. Worried family members reported Finson missing, and authorities combed the desert for most of the night looking for the Navy veteran.
Finson was found the next morning by a volunteer assigned to the search team near 135th Street East and Avenue H. Finson was wearing his helmet and his Honda ATC 250R was upright some 40 to 50 feet north of the dry wash.
Authorities initially believed Finson’s death was an accident, but when the coroner arrived, detectives learned he was shot.
Finson was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:20 a.m., Feb. 24, by the paramedics.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on April 15, approved a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of the suspect(s) responsible for Finson’s murder.
It was unclear Wednesday afternoon whether the reward had been claimed.
Editor’s Note: We’ll update this story with more information as it becomes available.
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alvaro rogas says
I known this guy and his family for years and i even trusted him around my family and kid. Trust me he’s not a monster. I can’t even believe his involved in such a case. This is not just sad for the dead person but for Lopez, his family and friends too. Stop being so happy for peoples trouble, it could happen to all of us. “wrong place at wrong time”:`-(
John says
Arturo Lopez is a felon and should not have had any firearms to begin with. I don’t know if Mr. Lopez killed anyone, I was not there. The Lancaster Sheriff’s officers believe Mr. Lopez may have done it, and had enough probable cause to be granted a search warrant, and have enough evidence to arrest, and in the end bring charges against Mr. Lopez.
This could happen to all (any) of us? Really? Which part? Being shot in the head while enjoying a ride on your ATC? Or just going out and shooting someone in the head? Ya right… You should choose your friends more wisely.
alvaro rogas says
Hey John!!!! Your name says it all…you’re just a racist person, aren’t you? Is that it. Or you think you’re a perfect human being. You’re so judgmental that the KARMA you’re bring to you by all this hate you carry and show by not having consideration to those who are in trouble is gonna follow you and your kids and your grand-kids & hopefully stops there. I really hope that when you ask GOD to help you in your life, you stop and remember me telling you this..you’re so selfish . If you replay to this message is becacause you are this way, and gou think you know it all.
Manual Lopez says
How is John a racist? You’re basing it off his name. No you’re the racist.
alvaro rogas says
prayers to all your family may God bless you u.did lopez no this guy does anybody know why he would do such thing
On his side says
How is he racist all he is doing is sticking up for a man that the world is attacking!! Alvaro Rogas obviously has a heart and doesn’t believe everything he reads.
On his side says
Forget that last comment!!
Lopez did not know him… Honestly I believe he is innocent. Until someone can show real proof that he is quilty then I believe him to b innocent
Billie Van Rossum says
I have known Art since he was 10 or 11 years old. Was my sons best friend for many years. I feel so bad for his parents (very nice people). Don’t believe it is in his nature to have done this.
Kim says
So, did this guy have ties to Mr. Finson or was this just a random thing?
Domici says
WHY ARE MURDERERS SO UPTIGHT , WHERE THEY HAVE TO KILL PEOPLE????? ITS SO SAD!! MY CONDOLENCES TO THIS MANS FAMILY!! please stop the violence!! i don’t know whats going on but many people are disturbed!! even if your angry at someone, i think its so mean and selfish to kill someone!! that was someones father, brother, son, come on this is terrible!! however than god for the Sheriffs dept that they caught him!!
Maria says
If this is the right person that killed steve finson, let justice prevail, there’s a higher power he will answer to when he dies. Steve was such a good guy. He was our tree guy and our friend. You can rest in peace now steve. May this bring some closure to his family.
Michael says
I pray that this man suffers every pain that can be endured however god is not the one to punish this guy, It has devastated our family beyond anything. this is the guy that has been the main focus since day one. I thank whoever came forward (if anyone) to help put an end to this man. if he is convicted I hope he gets the same botched execution as that other guy.
Elizabeth Eck says
I am Stephens cousin from Salem Oregon. Stephen was my mothers nephew. We love love loved him very much. We had recently in the last year been reunited after several years not seeing one another. This last year was the best reunion with Stephen and our family. We miss him dearly. We were very close. Our life is a better place because of Stephen. I will never understand why his life was taken. I had the privilege to sing for the funeral and I was blessed by the number of amazing friends, community, and support by everyone I met. Thank you to the police department and FBI for getting this far. I pray this is the right person. Stephen was a kind man, generous friend, dad, husband, son, cousin,brother , nephew, mentor, lover of life…and everyone’s hero.
Ron says
This is music to my ears. Steve was a wonderful guy. Your Eastside family misses u alot.
alvaro rogas says
it won’t be music to your ears if it happens to one of yours
rooney says
Wonderful! I pray he’s the correct guy and justice can be served. My condolences to his family.
It’s just not safe anywhere up here anywhere. I support our police!!!
No mercy says
So I say Awesome work to the law Enforcement.
Money speaks….
I am so glad they got the bad guys, they should check that area for drugs
I am sure the drugs made them do this.
sikntired says
Someone dropped a dime on him to get that 10 grand.Good, glad to hear it.Won’t bring him back but some justice will be had.
Manual Lopez says
Because of so many crimes in California. The lab takes some time. You might be right about someone telling on Lopez. It’s more then likely law enforcement got DNA of the brass fired from the rifle. Lopez being a convicted felon, law enforcement had his DNA in a database.
Max Pierson says
Good work by the deputies! My feeling was that would never be solved… maybe the reward worked?
wow says
I felt same way – some nutcase with a rifle who happened to spot him? is was I was thinking.. but then I thought about this: is the “mob mentality” the same as the “middle of nowhere” mentality? Some people get so riled up by a mob and the number of people – that they think they can get away with a crime… but the middle of nowhere” mentality works almost the same… some people think an area or desert is so rural.. they can get away with murder….
Sick_Of_It says
Good point!
Max Pierson says
Been shot at before, more than once, never hit.. there is a small number of people that really have no limits on their behavior other than the fear of getting caught. Way back when I was teen I once ducked down into a wash and ran around a hill and got up behind a guy with a .22 rifle that was shooting at several of us. I think he was not trying to hit us but never could be sure, we were obscured by a lot of brush. I wanted to run up behind him and get the weapon away from him by my cousin advised against it. I’m for diagnosing these kind of people and putting their faces up on the web like we do with molesters. Seems like the politicians might go with that idea eventually…