A priceless statue of Jackie Robinson was stolen from a public park in Kansas, sparking a police investigation and outrage in the city of Wichita on Friday.
The statue honors the first player to break Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947. Surveillance video was released of two people dragging the sculpture away in the dark. Wichita police said in a Facebook post that it was missing Thursday morning.
The statue was cut at the ankles for removal. All that remained of the statue Friday were Robinson’s feet.
“I am frustrated by the actions of those individuals who had the audacity to remove the Jackie Robinson statue from a park where children and families in our community come together to learn and share the history of Jackie Robinson, an American icon. to play Jackie Robinson’s game. baseball,” Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan said during a news conference Friday. “This should upset us all.”
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.
Wichita City Councilman Brandon Johnson called the theft “terrible” and “disgusting,” and said residents feel hurt and angry and are demanding justice.
“A lot of people want to find those people before law enforcement happens,” Johnson said. “So again, as the chief and the district attorney said, if you have that statue, bring it here today. Now.”
The Wichita Metro Crime Commission on Friday offered a reward of up to $2,500 for tips leading to arrests, and another $5,000 for tips leading to the statue’s recovery.
Sullivan said he hopes area salvage yards will contact police if the statue is brought in for money.
“Once the statue is returned, we also want those who robbed our community of treasure to be held accountable for their actions,” Sullivan said. “And I assure you it will be true. Wichita Police Department resources have been mobilized.”
Little League nonprofit League 42, named after Robinson’s number with the Dodgers, paid about $50,000 for his model, said executive director Bob Lutz. The statue was installed in 2021 in McAdams Park, where the approximately 600 children play in the youth baseball league.