Crime & Safety

Two Convicted in Beverly Hills Restaurant Armed Robbery

Jury finds Felton Bradford and Floyd Nelson guilty of attempted armed robbery of Lawry's The Prime Rib in July 2008.

By City News Service

Two men were convicted Friday of trying to rob a Beverly Hills restaurant at gunpoint before opening hours more than five years ago.

The Los Angeles Superior Court jury deliberated just over a day before finding Felton Bradford and Floyd Nelson, both 53, guilty of attempted robbery involving Lawry's The Prime Rib restaurant at 100 N. La Cienega Blvd. about 6 a.m. July 11, 2008.

Find out what's happening in Beverly Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Bradford also was convicted of 36 other counts, primarily involving a series of robberies and attempted robberies -- mostly before opening hours -- at businesses in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley between October 2007 and July 2008.

"These were extremely violent take-over robberies with the use of firearms," Deputy District Attorney Jack Garden said of the series of crimes.

Find out what's happening in Beverly Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Jurors acquitted Bradford of one count of assault with a firearm on a police officer.

Along with the attempted robbery, Nelson was convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Nelson was shot by undercover police minutes after the attempted robbery in which a chef was approached at Lawry's at gunpoint and unsuccessfully ordered to open the safe.

Police said a gun had been pointed at the officers.

The two are facing lengthy prison terms, with sentencing set Nov. 7, according to the prosecutor.



Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.