The Emmy-winning actor was arrested on live television by detectives of the LAPD's Robbery-Homicide Division yesterday, culminating what police Chief Bernard Parks called the most expensive investigation in the department's history.

Police said Blake shot his wife to death on a Studio City street to end a marriage to a woman he loathed.

"We believe the motive is that Robert Blake had contempt for Bonny Bakley," said Robbery-Homicide Captain Jim Tatreau. "He felt that he was trapped in a marriage that he wanted no part of, and quite frankly the entire situation was not one of his liking at all."

Blake, 68, surrendered peacefully at the home of his daughter in Hidden Hills, and was driven in handcuffs to LAPD headquarters in downtown Los Angeles. In sharp contrast, his 46-year-old bodyguard was stopped by police while driving in Burbank and ordered to stretch spreadeagled on the ground before he was cuffed and taken away.

Earle Caldwell was booked on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder in connection with Bakley's death. Bail for Caldwell was set at $1 million.

For Blake, accused of a capital crime, there was no bail. Parks said police will ask prosecutors to charge Blake with one count of murder for the slaying of his wife, as well as two counts of solicitation of murder.

The charges are expected to include the special circumstance allegation that Blake was lying in wait, which could make him eligible for the death penalty, said Robbery-Homicide Capt. Jim Tatreau.

LAPD officials were expected to present their case against Blake and Caldwell to prosecutors today, with a filing decision expected to be announced

Monday, said Sandi Gibbons of the District Attorney's Office.

As of this morning, Blake was scheduled to appear in a Van Nuys courtroom at 8:30 a.m. Monday, according to the sheriff's department.

Booking information provided by the sheriff's department reflected that Blake was booked in the jail at the LAPD's Parker Center headquarters at 11:55 p.m. yesterday. He was transferred to sheriff's department custody a short time later.

At 12:50 a.m. today, Blake arrived at the sheriff's Inmate Reception Center at 450 Bauchet St. A visit to the reception center includes processing into the jail system, being informed about jail rules, undergoing a medical screening and receiving jail clothing, said sheriff's Sgt. Joe Efflandt .

At 2:52 a.m., Blake was transferred to the hospital floor of the Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles, sheriff's officials said.

He is being held on the hospital floor because segregated housing is available there, Efflandt said, adding that Blake was not suffering from any emergency medical condition.

Efflandt said inmates in all high-profile cases are placed in segregated housing, kept separate from the general jail population to minimize the risk of assault.

Blake was not under suicide watch as of this morning, a Men's Central Jail deputy said.