TV reporter is robbed live on air while reporting on crime rates

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A TV crew have been robbed live on air while reporting about rising crime rates.

This week Channel Seven reporter Hayden Nelson was appearing on morning breakfast programme Sunrise, speaking about crime statistics at shopping centres in the Australian city of Adelaide.

But during the live cross, a man walked past and stole one of the crew’s lights while they were filming in Rundle Mall.

Before the man made off with the equipment, he’d approached the reporter and his cameraman, greeting them before quietly making off with the light without anyone noticing what he’d done.

Explaining what happened, Hayden later said on air: ‘To give you an idea of just how brazen some of the crime is, this morning after our last live cross, someone came and took the light off our light stand.

‘We have about three lights here and they’ve just pulled it blatantly off and walked away with it. So, any need for security and calls for police were certainly made clear for us this morning.’

Channel Seven reporter Hayden Nelson holding the light stand. — A TV reporter was robbed by a ‘brazen’ thief while reporting live on air (Picture: Channel 7)

The reporter later told 7News: ‘After the cross, he’s gone to check on the light — the stand was still there but the light itself has vanished and we were both scratching our heads about how a light can go missing.

‘When you’re about to go live, you’ve got an earpiece in with your director talking to you, and the sound of the presenters, you’ve got lights blaring at you,’ he said when explaining why it took time to realise the light was gone.

‘Your focus is entirely on the story and making sure you get your facts right. You are aware of your surroundings and know anything can happen while you are on air but for something like this for happen and for someone to see that and be opportunistic and take our equipment, they might not know what it’s used for or how much it’s worth.’

Police have released this image of the suspect (Picture: South Australia Police)

He also explained the ‘light-fingered’ thief wouldn’t even be able to use what he stole.

‘It would be impossible for them to use. The light itself needs a battery which is a broadcast-quality battery that you can only get in the industry, and it you need a charger for it,’ he added.

‘Clearly there hasn’t been much thought behind this opportunistic and senseless crime.’

South Australian police have since released a photo of a man who they believe may be able to assist with their investigation. They are asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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