TV news crew, security guard robbed at gunpoint while covering a story in Oakland

OAKLAND — A television news reporter, crew member and their security guard were robbed at gunpoint in North Oakland on Saturday, authorities said.

The robbery happened at about 5:30 p.m. when several armed suspected got out of a vehicle and demanded the crew’s belongings while they were parked in the 4400 block of Market Street, according to authorities.

One of the suspects shoved a victim to the ground and forcibly took her backpack, while two others pointed guns at the news crew and grabbed the security guard’s firearm, said Sam Singer, spokesperson for the Oakland Police Officers Association.

“The suspects stole the television camera and microphone from the news crew,” Singer said in a press release.

Singer identified the crew as members of ABC7. The news station declined to comment when reached Sunday.

Robberies targeting news crews for their expensive equipment are not new in the Bay Area, but have declined in recent years. In 2021, former San Jose police Officer Kevin Nishita was shot and killed while on assignment in downtown Oakland working as a security guard for KRON.

No injuries were reported in the robbery and no arrests were announced.

Anyone with information should contact the Oakland Police Department’s robbery section at 510-238-3326. Those with videos or photos that could assist the investigation can send them to cidvideos@oaklandca.gov.