MANATEE -- Four gunmen wearing black clothing robbed the Top China Restaurant, 3500 block of 53rd Avenue West, about 9:16 p.m. Monday, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office reports.
The men, all armed with pistols, and disguising their identity with masks and gloves, came in through the open back door and the kitchen.
They demanded wallets and cell phones from employees and took $4,000 from the cash register.
The gunmen fled out the back door while the employees were still on the ground.
At approximately 9:15 last night, an armed robbery occurred at Top China Restaurant located at 3558 53rd Ave. W., Bradenton. Four armed suspects entered the restaurant through the back door. The suspects ordered the employees to the floor and took cash and personnel items from the employees and the business.
At approximately 1:05 this morning, a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle was observed by a deputy.
The vehicle was followed to the new Riverwalk skate park in downtown Bradenton where Bradenton police officers and Manatee deputies made contact with the suspects. A loaded handgun and evidence from the armed robbery were found in the vehicle.
The three suspects were charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Christopher Yon, 18, and Dennis Shuler, 19, were also charged with violation of probation while Leterius Harvey, 21, was charged with possession of marijuana. The armed robbery investigation continues and, at this time, the suspects have not been charged in connection with the robbery. The fourth suspect remains at large.
