SFPD gang cops working to stop a revenge killing stumble on prolific SF felon fleeing East Bay jewelry heist
San Francisco’s most prolific violent felon appeared in court today charged with an East Bay jewelry store heist – having been inadvertently caught mid-escape by SFPD gang officers who had just installed a GPS tracker on the getaway car as they sought to prevent a reprisal murder.
Prosecutors say Cameron Haynes robbed the store in the Sun Valley Mall in Concord on June 28 alongside accomplices Eric Howard, Taric Howard and Lavar Kent, while Terry Franklin acted as a lookout. It is one of a string of smash and grab robberies police believe may be linked to the group.
A 12-year-old child inhaled pepper spray that was used in the robbery to subdue an employee.
San Francisco police swiftly traced the vehicle to Richmond via their tracker, arrested the men and recovered merchandise worth $140,000.
This afternoon in Department 234 of Martinez courthouse, Haynes and his co-defendants failed in their bid to secure pre-trial release.
“I do find that there is a danger to public safety and I’m going to deny release,” said Judge Julie Conger, prompting loud gasps of “wow!” from family members of the group packed into the gallery.
The court was told San Francisco police were keeping a close eye on the men in the aftermath of a June 24 gang murder in Oakland.
That shooting, blocks from City Hall, left the father of brothers Eric and Taric Howard dead behind the wheel of a bullet-ridden BMW. Cops feared the group – who they say are affiliated with the Double Rock gang – were set to retaliate as they had been seen with multiple rifles in the Sunnydale projects in the same stolen Kia Stinger car they used in the robbery escape.
In ordering their detention, Judge Conger was unmoved by representations that the defendants, all of whom are related, would not be able to attend the June 10 funeral of the Howard brothers’ father, killed in the Oakland shooting days earlier.
Haynes, 21, is best known for missing a 2023 court appearance on auto burglary charges in San Francisco because an Alameda judge had ordered his arrest on suspicion of involvement in the murder of Oakland baker Jen Angel.
In 2025 he was charged alongside Darnel Scott after leading police on a hair-raising chase through San Francisco after which cops found a pair of .40 caliber Glocks. Scott was arrested weeks later and charged with the first-degree murder of a Tre-4 gang member in Antioch.
He has several open San Francisco cases that have not yet gone to trial.
At today’s hearing each defendant pleaded not guilty to charges including robbery and conspiracy. They will appear for a preliminary hearing July 8.
Pictured: Haynes at an earlier hearing at San Francisco Hall of Justice
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