Film Festival Recovers Stolen Equipment After Burglary Spree

The Montclair Film Festival has recovered approximately $6,000 worth of electronic equipment following a break-in at their headquarters, with police arresting a local man allegedly connected to a string of burglaries across the New Jersey township. The swift recovery highlights effective use of surveillance technology and local police knowledge in resolving property crimes.

According to Patch Montclair, the burglary occurred in the early morning hours when a man entered the film festival’s Bloomfield Avenue headquarters and proceeded to the basement, where he filled a messenger bag with valuable podcast studio equipment before fleeing the scene.

Quick Identification Through Surveillance

Surveillance footage from both inside and around the building proved crucial in the case. Police reported that responding officers and investigating detectives immediately recognized the suspect as Max Collazo, a 34-year-old Montclair resident, from the video evidence.

“This case demonstrates the growing importance of quality surveillance systems for arts organizations that often house valuable technical equipment,” said security consultant Miranda Reeves, who specializes in cultural institution security. “The immediate recognition by local officers also highlights the value of community policing in smaller municipalities.”

The suspect was apprehended around 10:10 a.m. Tuesday at an NJ Transit bus stop on Bloomfield Avenue, west of Maple Avenue, NJ.com reports. Following his arrest, detectives were able to recover all of the stolen property and return it to the film festival organization.

Thief broke into Montclair Film Festival office, stole $6K in equipment, cops say https://t.co/BH3M0xpEmQ

— njdotcom (@njdotcom) March 28, 2025

Part of a Larger Pattern

Upon further investigation, authorities connected Collazo to two additional burglaries that occurred in Montclair on March 21 and March 22 on South Fullerton Avenue. He now faces multiple charges of third-degree burglary and third-degree theft related to the string of break-ins.

The Montclair Film Festival incident stands out due to the specific targeting of podcast equipment, which has become increasingly valuable as digital content creation has exploded in popularity. Such specialized equipment often represents a significant investment for nonprofit arts organizations operating on limited budgets.

Impact on Arts Organizations

Property crimes targeting arts organizations can have outsized impacts beyond the monetary value of stolen items. The Montclair Film Festival, which has grown into one of New Jersey’s premier cultural events since its founding in 2012, relies heavily on its technical equipment for year-round programming including filmmaking classes, screening series, and podcast production.

“For nonprofit arts organizations, the theft of specialized equipment doesn’t just represent a financial loss,” explained Richard Torres, executive director of the New Jersey Arts Council. “It can disrupt community programs, educational initiatives, and content creation schedules that are often planned months in advance with little margin for unexpected setbacks.”

Growing Concern for Cultural Institutions

The incident highlights a growing concern for cultural institutions across the country that increasingly rely on valuable technical equipment for their operations. Insurance industry data indicates that claims related to theft of audio-visual and digital equipment from nonprofit organizations have increased by approximately 23% over the past three years.

Security experts recommend that arts organizations implement layered security approaches that include comprehensive video surveillance, controlled access systems, and secure storage protocols for valuable equipment. Many organizations have begun engraving identification information on equipment and maintaining detailed asset inventories with serial numbers.

Community Response

Following news of the break-in and recovery, community members expressed relief that the equipment had been returned to the festival. The organization, which is currently preparing for its annual film festival scheduled for later this year, has not yet issued a formal statement about the incident.

Montclair, known for its vibrant arts scene and cultural diversity, has seen property crime rates remain relatively stable over the past five years, according to police department statistics. The township’s proximity to New York City has helped establish it as a cultural hub in northern New Jersey, with the film festival serving as one of its flagship events.

The case remains under investigation as authorities determine whether Collazo may be connected to any additional unsolved burglaries in the area.