A man who allegedly robbed at gunpoint a cashier at an Ingleside boba cafe was charged with armed robbery, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced Tuesday.
Haoli Weng, 26, allegedly went into a Sweet Cupz on Ocean Avenue on Jan. 4 and pointed a semi-automatic pistol at a store employee, stole $100 from the cash register, pointed the gun at the employee and fled.
On Jan. 17, 2024, witnesses saw Weng and called police. Officers arrested Weng.
Weng pleaded not guilty on Jan. 19 at an arraignment to one count of second-degree robbery with an allegation that that he used a semi-automatic pistol in the commission of this robbery. He also pleaded not guilty to one count of possession of a firearm or deadly weapon without a competency certificate, according to an announcement.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our neighborhoods and employees and patrons must be safe in them,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins in a statement. “Armed robberies are terrifying and I will do everything in my power to ensure that there is accountability and consequences in this case. I am grateful to the witnesses who came forward and the San Francisco Police who made an arrest.”
Weng, who has been detained as a risk to public safety, is set to appear in court on Feb. 1 for a preliminary hearing.
Weng, who is being represented by the Public Defender's Office, may be sentenced up to 15 years in prison if convicted of all charges.
Anyone with information is asked to call the police department's tip line at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD.
