Jamaica roundup: vehicle-theft prosecutions falter, Kingston restaurant denies racism claim

Police investigators say suspected vehicle thieves are avoiding convictions because many complainants stop supporting prosecutions after their vehicles are recovered or insurers pay claims. Police data show 123 vehicles, worth about $221 million, were stolen between January 1 and February 12, 2026, with only 14 recovered, even though 51 per cent had anti-theft devices. The Insurance Association of Jamaica said its members had received 291 theft reports up to last Friday.

A senior investigator in a Corporate Area division said 255 alleged car thieves and robbers appeared before the courts during the period, but many cases collapsed because victims no longer attended hearings. Police said complainants are often needed to confirm statements and provide details about the vehicle and theft. Data cited in the report showed seven per cent of matters set for sentencing, 12 per cent for trial, 32 per cent for mention and 21 per cent disposed of. St. Andrew North, St. Catherine North and South, St. Ann and St. James recorded the highest numbers of vehicle thefts and break-ins, while Manchester and Portland recorded the lowest.

Karen Bhoorasingh, CEO of Guardian General and an IAJ member, said criminals are moving beyond traditionally popular vehicles into higher-end targets, although Toyotas and Hondas remain heavily affected. Insurance figures listed 87 Toyota Mark X vehicles stolen, along with 30 Corollas, 19 Nissans, 18 Honda Fits, 14 Toyota Noahs and nine Toyota Wish models. Superintendent Mark Harris of St. Andrew Central said thieves are using online-bought devices to bypass security systems. Rowena Winter, whose 2019 Honda Fit was stolen from Dominica Drive in New Kingston last December, said she would assist any effort to put offenders behind bars.

Separately, Steakhouse on the Verandah in Kingston rejected racism allegations after content creator Cindy Marvelous said she was denied entry over shorts while other similarly dressed women were allowed inside. The Devon House restaurant said its dress code was applied without regard to race, though it acknowledged that some wording could have been handled more carefully.

Justice Minister Delroy Chuck also said Government will examine whether police should receive earlier warnings about land and estate disputes that may turn violent. He was responding to St. James commander Senior Superintendent Eron Samuels at a Trelawny forum on alternative dispute resolution and estate planning. Chuck said any policy would have to balance violence prevention with obligations under data-protection law.