CONCORD, CA — A month-long gang violence investigation — that led San Francisco police from a suspected retaliatory attack to a Concord jewelry store robbery — ended with five arrests, multiple firearms, suspected heroin, and assault rifles seized in Richmond and Oakland.
San Francisco Police Department tactical team surveilled neighborhoods associated with rival gangs for a month after several Bay Area homicides.
During the operation, investigators from the San Francisco Police Department's Violence Reduction Team watched a vehicle drive through the Sunnydale housing development before several occupants got out carrying multiple firearms, including assault-style rifles.
Officers suspected the group was preparing to retaliate against members of a rival criminal street gang.
Investigators later tracked the suspects' Kia Stinger to Richmond, where they said its occupants continued stalking rival gang members.
On June 28, officers followed the Kia to Concord, where it was used in a jewelry store robbery, according to the San Francisco Police Department.
After the robbery, the suspects switched vehicles and returned to Richmond, the San Francisco Police Department said.
There, officers arrested 23-year-old Cameron Haynes after he tried to flee on foot.
Police said they found a handgun, an assault rifle, and ammunition, as well as evidence connected to a Concord robbery, according to police.
Officers also arrested Terry Franklin, 29; Lavar Kent, 19; Teric Howard, 21; and Erik Howard, 18, near the 100 block of West Macdonald Avenue in Richmond, San Francisco police reported.
SFPD officers searched the Infiniti that the group had been driving and recovered another handgun and more evidence tied to the robbery.
Search warrants later served at homes in Richmond and Oakland led officers to suspected heroin in Richmond and two assault rifles in Oakland, according to the San Francisco police.
The investigation remains active, and formal charges have not yet been announced, San Francisco police said.
The Concord Police Department is leading the investigation into the jewelry store robbery.
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