2 Men Released After Being Charged In Beverly Hills Gunpoint Robbery

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — One of five people arrested in connection with a gunpoint-robbery in Beverly Hills pleaded not guilty Monday to a charge of robbery, while prosecutors declined to charge two others who had been arrested following the June 20 incident.

Gangster Lawson, 23, of Oakland, pleaded not guilty to one count of second-degree robbery. He's due back in court July 9, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Lawson was one of five arrested last week following an armed robbery where the suspects brandished a handgun and demanded the victim's Rolex. It occurred June 20 just before 5 p.m. on the 8600 block of Wilshire Boulevard, according to the Beverly Hills Police Department.

The crime was witnessed by a city employee, who immediately notified police. Police used the city's Real Time Watch Center to identify the suspects' vehicle and send officers toward it, police said.

When officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the vehicle fled, police said.

Beverly Hills police tapped the assistance of a Los Angeles Police Department helicopter to pursue the suspects into Hollywood. They fled the vehicle near Aston Place and El Centro Avenue. After a search, police arrested all five suspects and collected evidence related to the crime, police said.

In addition to Lawson, Xavier Ford, 18, and Nasir Blocker, 18, both of Oakland, were booked on a robbery charge. Ford was also charged with assault with a firearm and conspiracy to commit a felony, police said.

A 17-year-old and 16-year-old were also arrested, though police said not specify on which charges.

The District Attorney's Office cited insufficient evidence in declining to file a case against Ford Blocker. Jail records show that the pair were released from custody Monday.

The status of the case against the two minors was not immediately available.

City News Service contributed to this report.