Suspect held in attacks on news crews along S.F. Embarcadero

KTVU reporter Cara Liu reacts as news crews are attacked by a robber in San Francisco on July 2, 2015. Anchor Brian Flores is seen at left. KTVU reporter Cara Liu reacts as news crews are attacked by a robber in San Francisco on July 2, 2015. Anchor Brian Flores is seen at left. Photo: Screen Grab Photo: Screen Grab Image 1 of / 30 Caption Close Suspect held in attacks on news crews along S.F. Embarcadero 1 / 30 Back to Gallery

One of three men suspected of robbing television news crews as they reported on the high-profile killing of Kathryn Steinle at Pier 14 in San Francisco was arrested and charged, authorities said Wednesday.

Michael A. Jones, 23, of San Francisco was one of several suspects who emerged from a black 7-series BMW and accosted crews from KTVU and KNTV that were reporting live from the pier along the Embarcadero about 6 a.m. on July 2, authorities said.

During the holdup, one of the assailants put a gun to the head of KNTV photographer Alan Waples, 54, and pistol-whipped him, police said.

Police Chief Greg Suhr said a magazine left at the scene was among the evidence that led to Jones, an alleged gang member from the Visitacion Valley neighborhood believed to have been driving the getaway car.

Video: SF Police Chief Greg Suhr Announces Arrest In News Crew Robbery

Police identified the BMW within a week and began surveillance on the car, which was registered to Jones, eventually tracking him to a Motel 6 in Fremont, where he was taken into custody July 27 after a brief foot chase, Suhr said.

Jones was charged with robbery, aggravated assault, grand theft and conspiracy. He already had outstanding warrants alleging burglary, narcotics violations, hit and run and evading police, and was on probation for a felony gun conviction, Suhr said.

The hunt for the other suspects continues.

The mugging was captured in part on the air. KTVU anchor Brian Flores was introducing the story, and preparing to go live to reporter Cara Liu, as Waples was being attacked. Liu appeared startled and said, “Hold on, hold on, wait,” before disappearing from the screen.

A KTVU reporter and photographer were robbed at gunpoint this morning || http://t.co/cwrydsC69f || pic.twitter.com/KaXSwJo1Q0 — Jacob Wycoff (@4cast4you) July 2, 2015

“Cara, you still there?” Flores asked.

“Sorry, there’s an incident out here,” she replied as she and KTVU photographer Keith Crook left to tend to the stricken KNTV crew.

“What’s going on out there, Cara, doing OK?” Flores asked.

When she didn’t respond, Flores told viewers, “OK, looks like there’s some type of incident going on with Cara Liu out there. Not exactly sure what is going on. ... Let’s try to get more information on what’s going on with Cara. Hopefully, she’s doing OK, first off.”

The crews were reporting on the fatal shooting of Steinle, a 32-year-old San Francisco woman, the night before. The case sparked a national outcry when it was revealed that the alleged killer was released from San Francisco jail in April, even though federal immigration agents had been seeking to deport the repeat felon.

The robbery was the latest incident in which news crews were accosted in the Bay Area. The heists have prompted several stations to hire security guards, often former police officers, to accompany crews.

Suhr said police are working with members of the media to figure out ways to stem robberies of news crews, including possibly adding tracking devices to cameras and other expensive equipment.

Henry K. Lee and Kale Williams are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. E-mail: hlee@sfchronicle.com, kwilliams@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @henryklee @sfkale