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Man arrested on suspicion of robbing two Bay Area news crews on live TV

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A San Francisco man has been arrested in the brazen robbery of two Bay Area news crews on live TV as they reported on a pier shooting death, police said Wednesday.

A black BMW used as getaway car during the robbery led detectives to Michael Jones, 23, who was found July 27 at a Motel 6 in Fremont, according to the San Francisco Police Department.

Jones, who police say is a known gang member, was taken into custody after a brief chase. He was being held on suspicion of robbery, aggravated assault, grand theft and conspiracy, as well as several warrants for drugs, burglary, hit and run and evading police.

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Jones was on probation for a firearms violation.

Police are looking for two other men involved in the robbery.

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Crews from KNTV-Channel 11 and KTVU-Channel 2 were reporting live at 6:03 a.m. July 2 on the shooting death of 32-year-old Kathryn Steinle at Pier 14 when three men stole their camera equipment.

A portion of the robbery was captured on air, showing the gunman approaching KNTV camera operator Alan Waples and putting a gun to his head while reporter Kris Sanchez pleads for him not to shoot.

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Waples was thrown to the ground and struck with the gun. The cameraman’s ear was cut.

After robbing the news crews, the gunman and two other men drove away in a black BMW with their cameras and tripods, police said.

Bay Area news crews have increased their security after a string of thefts targeting them, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

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A KTVU crew was attacked and robbed in February in Hayward after filming a Powerball lottery segment at a convenience store.

In July 2014, a laptop and personal belongings were stolen from a news van belonging to KPIX-TV, another Bay Area station. That same news crew was punched and robbed in 2012 during a live broadcast.

For breaking news in California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA.

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