Cameraman ripped off and waiting for the thieves to call

Geoff Mackley with a Panasonic video camera like the one stolen. Picture / Glenn Jeffrey

Freelance cameraman Geoff Mackley, who has made headlines chasing storms, tornadoes and major news events around the world, has been hit by thieves.

On Sunday night someone broke into his assistant's car in Owairaka, Auckland, and stole a $40,000 Panasonic AJD 800 Broadcast TV camera.

While Mackley has not heard from the thieves, he said he would not be surprised if he got a phone call offering his gear back - for a price.

In January a Christchurch cameraman, who did not want to be identified, had $68,000 worth of gear stolen from a staff member's car.

After a story about the missing equipment ran in a local paper the cameraman received a ransom note at his office saying "$1600 will give you your gear back".

The note asked that the money be left taped to the office door at midnight and warned the cameraman not to involve the police or the gear would be dumped.

The money was left on the door and by 2am the gear was returned.

The cameraman said police were not impressed by the way the situation was handled but he was desperate to get the gear back.

"It's a stupid way of trying to get your gear back in hindsight, but at the time it was losing $68,000 worth of gear or $1600."

Mackley said he had heard of another case where a camera kit was stolen in Auckland and the owners were contacted by the thieves asking for money.

The deal was done, but police waiting in the wings captured them.

Mackley said he would like to see whoever is responsible for the theft of his gear locked up.

However, at this stage his main concern was recovering the camera.

If he doesn't hear from the thieves he plans to offer a reward for the gear.

Mackley said the camera is a large professional piece of kit and not something that would go unnoticed.

It was in a blue Portabrace brand camera bag and of little use to people outside the industry.

Auckland City Police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said police encourage people to always report crime "otherwise we can't do anything about it".

Police have spoken out in the past against people negotiating with thieves in order to get belongings back.