Craig Melvin and Al Roker now have court-ordered protection following a security breach at NBC’s Rockefeller Center studios. The legal action follows allegations that a man entered a restricted area, searched for Roker, and confronted Melvin while allegedly using a racial slur.
A judge granted protective orders to Al and Craig following the frightening security breach
As reported by TMZ, a judge issued protective orders on Friday requiring Andrew Truelove to stay away from the Today hosts. Truelove’s attorney confirmed the orders after authorities charged his client in connection with the July 16 incident.
The development follows the earlier Today security breach, in which police accused Truelove, 41, of entering a restricted area near Studio 1A. According to People, officers took him into custody without incident, and no one was injured.
People reported that Truelove faces charges of burglary as a hate crime, menacing as a hate crime, criminal trespass as a hate crime, and harassment. Court records reviewed by the outlet show the criminal case is pending.
Law enforcement sources said Truelove initially asked for Roker after getting past security. When he could not find the weather anchor, he allegedly approached Melvin in a stairwell and used a racial slur. According to the sources, the interaction lasted about eight to 10 seconds.
In a statement, NBC said Melvin alerted security, which detained the man before police took him into custody. The network added that no physical altercation occurred and announced that it would review its security protocols.
Roker also shared a message of support on Instagram. He thanked viewers who checked on Melvin and wrote, “You come after one of us, you come after all of us.”
The protective orders establish a legal boundary as the criminal case moves forward. Moreover, NBC faces renewed scrutiny over the security breach. Truelove has been charged but has not been convicted, and the charges remain allegations unless proven in court.
