Arrest made in theft of Jackie Robinson statue

An arrest has been made within the theft of a statue of Main League Baseball legend Jackie Robinson. 

The Wichita (Kansas) Police Division introduced Tuesday that 45-year-old Ricky Alderete had been arrested and charged with felony theft over $25,000 for the theft of the statue on Jan. 25 from McAdams Park, house to League 42, a youth baseball league that has over 600 kids enjoying in it, per ESPN.

The statue was erected in 2021 for $75,000, with League 42 working hand-in-hand with the Robinson property. Video surveillance confirmed three thieves reduce the statue off at its ankles and place it in a truck. It was discovered a number of days later burnt and chopped into items. 

Wichita police mentioned the theft of the statue was not racially motivated however as an alternative, the motive was re-selling the statue as scrap steel, through kwch.com. Extra arrests are anticipated. Alderete has been in jail on different fees since Feb. 1 and was charged with the theft of the statue on Monday. 

“The investigation has not revealed any proof indicating that this was a hate-motivated crime,” mentioned Wichita Police Division spokesperson Aaron Moses. “We imagine this theft was motivated by the monetary acquire of scrapping widespread steel.” 

For the reason that theft, over $300,000 in donations have poured in for League 42, which was named in honor of Robison, who broke baseball’s coloration barrier in 1947. As well as, all 30 MLB groups have coordinated to pay for a alternative statue, which might be in place by the summer time. 

“We’re feeling good that somebody is being held accountable,” mentioned League 42 Basis government director Bob Lutz, through ESPN. “And I do imagine that every one people concerned shall be apprehended.”