Out-of-town TV cameraman covering Super Bowl 50 mugged in S.F.

USA, New York State, New York City, Crime scene barrier tape USA, New York State, New York City, Crime scene barrier tape Photo: Tetra Images Photo: Tetra Images Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Out-of-town TV cameraman covering Super Bowl 50 mugged in S.F. 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A Chicago TV cameraman in San Francisco to cover Super Bowl 50 was robbed of his camera at gunpoint, police said Wednesday.

Marcus Richardson was taking scenic background pictures on Tuesday at Lombard and Hyde streets for station WBBM when he was robbed of his camera and a backpack around 9:15 p.m. by two unidentified gunmen while putting equipment back into his car.

“Two suspects approached from behind and took his equipment at gunpoint,” said Sgt. Dennis Toomer, a San Francisco police spokesman.

The gunmen, both described as 6 feet tall and between 18 and 25, took off in a sedan after the mugging. Richardson was not hurt.

“They took everything. I am sad beyond belief. This is the lowest I’ve ever been doing this job,” Richardson said in a social media post.

“I am OK,” he added. “They only threatened with a gun. Criminals suck.”

The robbery was similar to other attacks on journalists in the Bay Area that have forced some TV stations to hire guards to accompany reporters on the job. On Aug. 6, two news crews were interrupted and robbed by gunmen during a live broadcast at Pier 14 in San Francisco.

Steve Rubenstein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: srubenstein@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SteveRubesSF