An 18 year old charged with 11 felonies and three misdemeanors stemming from a New Year’s Eve auto break-in spree in San Francisco, failed to appear in court this week because he had been arrested by Oakland PD on suspicion of murder.
Cameron Haynes had been ordered to appear before Judge Loretta Giorgi in Department 20 on July 17 for a routine status hearing – during which a brief reference was made by Haynes’ public defender to him having been arrested in Alameda county.
A warrant for Haynes’ arrest was signed by Alameda Superior Court Judge Stuart Hing who found that there was “probable cause to believe” he committed the crimes.
Contacted after the hearing, Oakland PD remained tight-lipped on what they say is an “active” case but did confirm that Haynes has now been released “pending further investigation.”
Haynes had been freed on his own recognizance on January 5 2023 – only days after the series of auto break-ins. As a condition of his release he was required to make phone contact three times per week with the San Francisco Pretrial Diversion Project.
He was on track to be dealt with in ‘Young Adult Court’ in San Francisco. This court program “is grounded in strategies and practices that are developmentally appropriate and trauma informed, and encourages the participant to make thoughtful decisions about the choices they make on a daily basis.”
Haynes is not presently in custody in either San Francisco or Alameda counties.
His co-defendant, Rahman Jones, is additionally charged with several counts of hit and run driving for an escape bid that damaged six cars and injured one person. Rahman is also free on pretrial release and attending Young Adult Court.
Update August 3: Haynes is still on track to have his auto break-in charges dealt with in Young Adult Court and appeared briefly this afternoon before Superior Court Judge Bruce Chan.
“This is all about putting people on a different path,” said Judge Chan who, after admonishing Haynes for his tardy arrival, recognized that he had attended his intake meeting this week.
“I’ll make a decision down the road whether to accept you or not, but strong start,” he added.
The majority of the YAC hearing was taken up with the judge speaking personally with court participants in turn, placing a heavy emphasis on consistency, proper budgeting and following through on plans.
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