Two burglaries at the Castro Theater last week, both allegedly involving the same suspect, have cost the historic venue $45,000 worth of damages.
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Three individuals, Gary Marx, 38, Nicholas Degrego, 25, and Jason Kilbourne, 32, were arrested on Tuesday, March 29, for allegedly breaking into the theater by shattering through the glass of its front door. All three were booked on burglary charges, with Degrego additionally charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, while Kilbourne was charged with violation of his probation.
Three days later on Friday, another burglary was allegedly attempted at the theater at approximately 4:46 p.m. by one of the same suspects, Marx. Police said a witness flagged down an officer to alert them that Marx was trying to break in. Officers developed probable cause to arrest Marx and transported him to County Jail on charges of attempted burglary, vandalism and possession of burglary tools.
According to David Perry, spokesperson for concert promoter Another Planet Entertainment, which runs the theater, the first incident caused $30,000 worth of damages, while the second added another $15,000.
Perry told SFGate that nothing was stolen, but "mainly they made a mess; broke doors and locks and broke windows. It took all day to get things cleaned up." There were damages to both the box office's lead glass and the theater's interior, including apparent "hammer blows" to its film projector.
"This is both heartbreaking and galling," Mary Conde, vice-president for the Berkeley-based company, said in a release. "Why this individual was allowed on the streets again is beyond my understanding and should be unacceptable. We are so grateful to the San Francisco Police for their continued vigilance and for again arresting this person. However, our system is failing us."
A spokesperson for the San Francisco Sheriff's Office told KCBS Radio that Marx was originally released "pursuant to court orders" after his initial arrest. No further information was given.
"We have tried to avoid installing a metal security gate across the front of the Castro’s iconic entrance, but I don’t believe we are now left with any choice," Conde said. She added that installing such a gate would be "costly."
An investigation remains ongoing. Police ask any for further information to call them at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and start the message with "SFPD".
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