A Houston production studio burglary has forced the suspension of filming on a dating show after thieves took 12 cameras, 18 lenses and a drone.
Jimi Harvuni, owner of Harvuni J Studios, said the equipment was stolen during a break-in which he believes was carried out by the same three men linked to attacks on at least seven film and production studios in the Houston area since late August.
The theft has disrupted production of Vibez Dating, a show broadcast on the streaming service Tubi. Harvuni said around five episodes had already been made and further filming was planned.
“It’s a show we shoot here where we match you up, send you on a date, and we pay for it and film it,” he said.
Harvuni said the timing of the burglary had left him unable to continue producing new episodes because of the value and volume of the equipment taken.
He believes at least one of the suspects had visited the studio before. The building has no obvious external signs indicating that it is a production facility, yet the three men allegedly went straight to the equipment and were inside for about a minute.
Harvuni said the incident had caused significant financial and personal distress for a business intended to support aspiring performers and filmmakers.
“It’s devastating,” he said. “You try to provide an honest living, try to provide something where people can come live out their dreams, their passions, putting their shows on and something like this happens. It’s hard to put in perspective.”
The men have not been identified or charged in connection with the reported studio burglaries.
Anyone with information has been asked to contact the Houston Police Department, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers.
