NJ man charged with stealing thousands from Montclair event

A 34-year-old man from Essex County was arrested for stealing electronic equipment from the Montclair Film Festival headquarters, according to local police. The incident occurred on March 24, prompting a response from authorities after an employee reported an unsecured door at the facility located at 505 Bloomfield Ave.

Upon arrival, police discovered that around $6,000 worth of equipment had been taken from the basement podcast studio. The employee noticed the theft during her morning routine and immediately contacted the police, leading to an investigation.

Surveillance footage revealed that the suspect, later identified as Montclair resident Max Collazo, entered the building shortly before 1:45 a.m. He was seen gathering various items into a messenger bag before leaving the scene. This crucial evidence helped link him to the crime.

Collazo was apprehended the following day at a NJ Transit bus stop on Bloomfield Avenue. In addition to the burglary at the film festival, detectives connected him to other burglaries that had occurred on March 21 and 22 on South Fullerton Avenue.

As a result of the investigation, officers recovered the stolen items from the Montclair Film Festival. Collazo now faces charges of third-degree burglary and third-degree theft.