Crime rates and public safety are hot-button issues, especially when incidents unfold in unexpected ways.

What started as a routine live news broadcast took a surprising turn, leaving a reporter and his crew stunned.

What happened next has only added to concerns about crime in the area.

A Seven news crew became the target of an opportunistic thief during a live broadcast about crime rates in Adelaide’s Rundle Mall.

Journalist Hayden Nelson had been reporting on Sunrise earlier this week when an unidentified man approached the crew and casually greeted them.

Moments later, he walked off unnoticed—taking one of their lights with him.

News crew stunned as thief strikes live. Image source: Seven

It wasn’t until the segment ended that Nelson and his team realised the equipment had vanished.

‘After the cross, he’s gone to check on the light—the stand was still there but the light itself has vanished,’ Nelson later shared.

The team had spotted the man beforehand but had no reason to suspect him.

‘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,’ Nelson explained.

Despite the theft, he noted the equipment would be of little use to the culprit.

Nelson continued: ‘To operate it they would need a broadcast-quality battery that you can only get in the industry and it also requires a unique charger.’

South Australian police have since released an image of a man they believe could assist with their inquiries and have urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The incident left the news crew stunned as they realised their equipment had vanished without a trace.

Watch the report below for more details on how it happened.

Source: Facebook/Sunrise

The unsettling incident in Adelaide isn’t the only time journalists have been targeted while working.

Watch the report below to see what happened in another shocking case.

Source: Youtube/National Herald​

Key Takeaways

• A Seven news crew was targeted by a thief during a live broadcast on crime rates in Adelaide’s Rundle Mall.
• Journalist Hayden Nelson had been reporting on Sunrise when a man casually greeted the crew before walking off with one of their lights.
• The theft went unnoticed until after the segment ended, with Nelson noting the equipment would be useless without industry-specific components.
• South Australian police released an image of a man who may assist with inquiries and urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.

With crime making headlines in unexpected ways, do you think this incident highlights a growing issue or just bad luck?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

 

[Bill MacL]

To busy making up stories to see one happening in front of them.

 

[Aralia]

People tend to forget there are cameras everywhere. What an idiot.

 

[Rosi Gordon]

To busy making up stories to see one happening in front of them.

I'm sure the victims will be upset by your stupid post. Do your research or get off this site idiot

 

[jsan]

What a charmer so eloquent

 

[Reet]

I had another email today, supposedly sent from Telstra and it certainly looks genuine except for the "from" which reads "No-reply". It says that my online payment was not successful and I need to update my details with Telstra. I had a genuine email from Telstra just days ago advising that they are changing their system and they will notify me nearer the date for the change and in the meantime no need for me to do anything.
These mongrels are getting even more clever with their fake emails as the fake email was addressed to me in my name and is a complete copy of the genuine heading.

 

[Isis]

I know I shouldn’t laugh but I did. Hope they get the guy

 

[bombadier]

One way to shine a light on crime .

 

[Jest]

with all the reports i have read about Adelaide I would never live there.

 

[Phantom55]

fake news

 

[Miss Chris]

That’s funny