Jackie Robinson statue was stolen from Kansas park to be sold as scrap metal: police
The brazen theft of a bronze Jackie Robinson statue in Kansas was not motivated by hate — but was instead committed by crooks who hoped to sell the prized sculpture for scrap metal.
Wichita police revealed the motive Monday as they announced the arrest of one of the suspects tied to the sickening crime in McAdams Park in which the statue was sawed off at the ankles and stolen on Jan. 25.
Ricky Alderete, 45, was charged with felony theft, aggravated criminal damage of property and other criminal counts as more thieves are being sought, according to police.
Less than a week after the theft, parts of the dismantled Jackie Robinson statue were found charred in a trash can in another park in what officials previously called a “heartbreaking discovery.”
“If you try to take something from this community, we won’t tolerate it,” Wichita police chief Joe Sullivan said in a press conference.
“I’m confident this is only the first arrest and there are more to come,” he added.
Alderete was booked into jail earlier this month in an unrelated case before he was charged in the statue theft Monday, police said.
The prized figure honors Major League Baseball’s first player to smash the color barrier when he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.
Police declined to say how many additional suspects they are seeking, but noted three individuals were at the park when the Robinson statue was hauled away in a vehicle that was later found by police unoccupied in an apartment complex parking lot.
Investigators believe the statue was stolen so it could be sold as scrap metal. The crime was not motivated by hate, police said.
“We are very confident that this was not a race-related crime,” Lt. Aaron Moses said during the press conference.
Wichita Councilman Brandon Johnson said Tuesday he was “really happy” that one of the suspects was in custody.
“I’m looking forward to the rest of them being arrested and charged,” Johnson said.
The community plans to put another Robinson statue up to replace the stolen sculpture with nearly $200,000 raised.
Robinson punched his ticket into the Hall of Fame in 1962 – the first black player to enter Cooperstown. The lightning-quick infielder, who boasted a .313 MLB career batting average, began his career with the Kansas City Monarchs as part of the Negro Leagues before signing with Brooklyn.
