Watch CBS News

Brooklyn Artist Pleads For Stolen Igloo's Return

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It's described as a unique portable music venue.

An inflatable igloo owned by Bedford-Stuyvesant artist Tom Montagliano was stolen over a week ago, and now he wants it back.

Montagliano describes the igloo, which can glow in different colors and fit up to 50 people, was like a sanctuary for people to listen to music and "escape the world a little bit."

"It's how I make my living and to have that taken away from me, it's a big step back right now," he said.

The portable sound stage was taken from Montagliano's van. He had it parked near the Kosciuszko Public Pool.

CBS2's Jessica Borg reported that Montagliano went searching for his van and actually found it. The thief stole a generator and a stereo in addition to the igloo, but they left behind the device that inflates the igloo.

"So the thieves are stuck with a huge, 300 pound pile of nylon," Montagliano says.

Even deflated, the igloo may be hard to miss. When filled, it is 16 feet high and 32 feet wide.

"It's really hard to clandestinely set up an igloo without people taking notice," Montagliano says.

The artist says that he isn't sure the thief actually knew what they were taking, but if you happen to see it -- call police.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.