Thieves Rob Jackie Jackson's MoBay Entertainment Company During Funeral Preparations
Equipment was stolen from Jackie Jackson Entertainment in Montego Bay while the family arranged the late bassist's funeral. Most items have since been recovered by police.
Robbery at Montego Bay music company compounds grief for Jackson family
As the family of late Jamaican bassist Clifton 'Jackie' Jackson was finalising funeral arrangements, thieves broke into his Montego Bay entertainment company and made off with stage production, lighting and sound equipment, jamaica-gleaner.com reports.
The theft occurred on October 22 at Jackie Jackson Entertainment — more recently operating as Jackson Incredible Musical Experience — but was only discovered four days later when staff went to retrieve the equipment for a tribute concert in Kingston honouring the celebrated musician.
"It is disheartening for the Jackson family to have experienced this while planning the funeral of our patriarch and the founder of this company," the family said in a statement issued Wednesday.
Despite the loss, the tribute concert went ahead as scheduled on Tuesday, October 27, after entertainment company Vere Events stepped in at short notice with replacement equipment.
"We thank Vere Events for their support and everyone who made it possible for the show to go on," said Jackson's daughter Jhanine.
Her sister Jheanell acknowledged the police response: "We are also deeply grateful to the Jamaica Constabulary Force for their professionalism and urgency."
Jackson's funeral was held at the St James Parish Church in Montego Bay on Saturday, October 31.
The theft was reported to the Barrett Town police in Rose Hall, St James, on October 27, triggering an investigation. A significant portion of the stolen items was recovered on Sunday, November 1 — one day after the funeral — with additional lighting equipment recovered the following day, November 2.
Three Harbinger speakers remain outstanding. Courtni Jackson, another of the musician's daughters and a company representative, confirmed that efforts to locate the remaining items are continuing.
The family has not disclosed the value of the stolen goods and has not indicated whether any arrests have been made. Jackson Incredible Musical Experience said it was cooperating fully with police but would not comment further while the investigation continues.
Jackson, whose bass guitar helped define the sound of Jamaican popular music across several decades, was celebrated during his thanksgiving service for his contributions to reggae and his influence on generations of musicians.
The family has thanked the entertainment fraternity and its partners for their support, and has appealed for privacy as they continue to mourn.
Anyone with information about the theft or the whereabouts of the missing equipment is asked to contact the Barrett Town police at 876-953-7899 or Crime Stop at 311.
Source: Google News JM — Crime