File this one under Strange, but True.
A Chicago television news crew reporting on a series of robberies was themselves targeted by an armed robbery. The incident took place around 5 a.m. in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood. Three individuals, armed and wearing ski masks, confronted the crew from the Spanish-language station Univision Chicago. The masked men stole their camera and personal belongings.
According to Luis Godinez, Univision Chicago’s Vice President of News, the crew was filming a story about local robberies in West Town, intended for the morning news. The stolen camera contained the footage, which ultimately didn’t make it to the air.
The victims, aged 28 and 42, were outside when the three suspects arrived in a gray sedan and black SUV. After the robbery, the suspects fled in their vehicles. Despite the incident, no injuries were reported, and the perpetrators remain at large.
Univision Chicago, the local affiliate of TelevisaUnivision, is protecting the privacy of the affected crew members by not disclosing their names. The station is providing support to the crew as they navigate the aftermath.
This incident marks the second robbery involving a Chicago news crew this month. In another case on August 8, a WLS-TV photographer was assaulted and robbed while preparing to cover a news conference on Chicago’s West Side.
The growing safety threats to news reporters have led to action by the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians Local 41. The union, representing TV photographers in Chicago, expressed concern over these incidents. Raza Siddiqui, the union’s president, emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safety of news crews. Some affiliated news stations are planning to increase security measures, including assigning security personnel to certain TV crews.
The union intends to hold a safety meeting to address member concerns and explore ways to offer support amidst these challenging circumstances.