Bay Area TV Reporters Are Getting Mugged

Jeff Bush

Police have arrested two people in connection with a robbery of a KRON 4 television news crew Friday night that resulted in a shooting. It is the latest in a series of brazen robberies of TV news crews in the San Francisco bay area.

According to the SF Chronicle, Armani McFarland, 19, of San Francisco were arrested on suspicion of robbery, conspiracy and possession of a firearm. John Woods, 19, of San Francisco was arrested on suspicion of robbery and conspiracy. Both are in custody.

One of the subjects was treated Friday night at San Francisco General Hospital for a non-life-threatening gunshot injury. Police did not specify which suspect had been shot.

In a story on its website, KRON said reporter Jeff Bush and a security guard were accosted by two armed men who demanded Bush's equipment. Bush surrendered the equipment and "took cover" as the security guard opened fire, the station said.

The episode is the latest in a spate of holdups or confrontations targeting the media. The bulk of the previous incidents, however, have happened in Oakland, where journalists have been robbed and accosted, some in the middle of the day. In one incident, a robber grabbed a camera during a live noon broadcast.

In response, several TV stations have hired security guards to shadow reporters and camera operators in Oakland. Many of the guards are retired police officers.