Man breaches security at 30 Rock, approaches ‘Today’ co-host Craig Melvin
CNN
By Mark Morales, CNN
(CNN) — The man who managed to slip past tight security at New York’s 30 Rockefeller Center and hurled a racial slur at “Today” show co-host Craig Melvin appeared before a judge on Friday to face charges stemming from the confrontation.
Andrew Truelove, 41, was charged with burglary and menacing, both in the third degree as hate crimes, after investigators said he entered the lobby just before 9 a.m. Thursday and snuck behind an employee who used their identification card to swipe into a restricted area, according to the criminal complaint.
Truelove was at the bottom of a stairwell when he spotted Melvin and shouted out to him, asking for the “Today” weather and feature anchor Al Roker, according to the complaint. He then took steps toward Melvin and hurled a racial slur at the “Today” show co-host, the complaint said. Both men are Black.
The entire exchange lasted about 10 seconds before Melvin followed Truelove out of the stairwell near Studio 1A and alerted security, who detained him before he was placed under arrest by an NYPD detail stationed outside 30 Rockefeller Plaza, according to a law enforcement official.
“That’s what you wanted to get arrested for,” Melvin asked the man moments after he was arrested, to which Truelove replied, “I always wanted to call a Black famous person the N-word,” according to the criminal complaint.
Melvin briefly addressed the incident during Friday’s “Today” show, saying he’s “safe and sound.”
“Unfortunately, an intruder made his way into an unauthorized area here in Studio 1A,” he said surrounded by colleagues at the anchor desk. “Thankfully, he was apprehended quickly. He was placed under arrest. We are cooperating fully with the NYPD as they investigate the matter, and we are just very happy that everyone is safe.”
CNN has reached out to Truelove’s attorney who represented him in court Friday.
Several NBC employees who spoke with CNN said they were shocked by the breach, given the level of security in place around 30 Rockefeller Center, where a World Cup Fan Zone event is being held. One person noted their work badge must be swiped or inspected multiple times to enter the building.
Security was stepped up at NBC’s “Today” show in February as Savannah Guthrie’s co-hosts and colleagues covered the abduction of her mother, Nancy, two people at the network said on condition of anonymity.
The additional security measures were implemented out of an abundance of caution to help alleviate some of the stress the show’s hosts were feeling as they talked on air every morning about the mystery. Major networks like NBC have security departments that support their hosts – from physical protection to online threat tracking – and liaise with local police.
Truelove, who did not enter a plea, was ordered held on $10,000 bail or $10,000 partially secured bond, according to a spokesman with the Manhattan District Attorney. A full temporary order of protection was also put in place. Truelove is due back in court July 22.
“TODAY is cooperating fully with law enforcement as they investigate the matter,” NBC said in its statement. “NBC and TODAY take the safety and security of our employees, talent, staff and guests extremely seriously. We are reviewing the incident and our security protocols and remain committed to providing a safe and secure environment for everyone who works at and visits our studios.”
CNN’s Brian Stelter, Brynn Gingras, Nina Giraldo and Amanda Musa contributed to this report.
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