MONTCLAIR, NJ – A 34-year-old Montclair man, Max Collazo, has been arrested in connection with a burglary at the Montclair Film Festival headquarters on Bloomfield Avenue.
Montclair Police responded to the scene at 11:02 AM on March 24, after an employee discovered the front door unsecured. A search of the building revealed that $6,000 worth of electronic equipment had been stolen from the basement podcast studio.
Investigation and Arrest
Security footage showed a white male entering the building around 1:40 AM, heading to the basement, and filling a bag with electronic devices before fleeing. Detectives quickly identified the suspect as Collazo, who has a history of similar crimes.
The following morning, at 10:10 AM on March 25, officers located Collazo at a NJ Transit bus stop on Bloomfield Avenue. He was arrested without incident, and further investigation linked him to two additional burglaries on March 21 and March 22 on South Fullerton Avenue. Authorities also recovered the stolen electronics from the film festival headquarters.
Charges and Police Statement
Collazo is facing charges of third-degree burglary and third-degree theft.
Montclair Police Chief Todd Conforti praised the swift response of the department, stating:
“This arrest is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and professionalism of our officers. Thanks to their investigative efforts, we can bring these cases to a resolution and continue protecting our community.”
Authorities urge businesses and residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to the Montclair Police Department.
