Arrest made in theft of Jackie Robinson statue in Wichita, police say
Police on Tuesday announced the arrest of a 45-year-old man for the theft of a bronze statue of Jackie Robinson, which was later found dismantled and burned.
Wichita Police Lt. Aaron Moses said the man had previously been taken into custody in an unrelated case and was charged with theft on Monday. He said there was no evidence it was a “hate-motivated crime” but rather the intention was to sell the metal for scrap.
Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan said it was “just the first arrest” and that more would follow.
“If you try to take anything away from this community, it will not tolerate it,” he said, adding that he was eager to share more details about the investigation after more suspects are taken into custody.
Thieves hacked the bronze statue from its base in a park in Wichita, Kansas, last month. Only the statue’s feet remained in McAdams Park, where about 600 children play in a youth baseball league called League 42, named after Robinson’s jersey number with the Brooklyn Dodgers, with whom he broke the major leagues’ color barrier in 1947.
Firefighters found burned remains of the statue five days later when they responded to a trash can fire in another park about 7 miles (11.27 km) away. A truck believed to have been used in the theft was previously found abandoned and police said the theft of the statue, estimated to be worth $75,000, was captured on surveillance video.
Sedgwick District Attorney’s Office spokesman Dan Dillon said the suspect does not yet have an attorney, but one may be named in his honor after his first appearance Tuesday afternoon. He is ordered held on $150,000 bond on charges of felony theft, aggravated criminal damage to property, identity theft and providing false information.
Jail records also list charges including contempt of court, kidnapping and a probation violation. The suspect has a criminal record that includes burglary and theft, state corrections department records show.
When asked how many others might be charged, Moses said three people were seen on the surveillance video. He also noted that the statue was taken to a location where others were present. He said he could not provide further details because it was an active investigation.
After the theft, donations poured in, amounting to nearly $300,000, said Bob Lutz, executive director of the nonprofit Little League, which commissioned the sculpture.
Lutz has said some of the additional money raised could also improve some of its programming and facilities. In April, the group opened the Leslie Rudd Learning Center, which includes an indoor baseball facility and a learning laboratory.
Lutz, whose friend, artist John Parsons, created the statue before his death, said the mold is still viable and expected a replacement to be installed within months.
Robinson played for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues before joining the Brooklyn Dodgers, paving the way for generations of black American ballplayers. He is considered not only a sports legend, but also a civil rights icon. Robinson died in 1972.