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13 February 2024
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – The Wichita Police Department has arrested a 45-year-old man in the case of the stolen Jackie Robinson statue from League 42.
The statue was found “dismantled and burned” on Jan. 30 at Garvey Park in south Wichita. It was stolen a week earlier from McAdams Park at 17th Street North and Ohio. Police released surveillance photos and video after the theft. Investigators were able to find and recover the truck used in the theft on Jan. 28.
The WPD says the man arrested has been charged, and he will be making his first court appearance Tuesday afternoon, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office. He is currently being held on suspicion of felony theft of value over $25,000, aggravated criminal damage to property, identity theft and making false information.
“The investigation has not revealed any evidence indicating that this was a hate-motivated crime,” Wichita Police Lt. Aaron Moses said. “Instead, we believe this theft was motivated by the financial gain of scraping common metal.”
The department said detectives are still gathering information to identify others involved in the theft of the statue.
“I’m confident that this is only the first arrest and that there are more to come,” Wichita Police Chief Joseph Sullivan said.
Several Wichita City Council members and Mayor Lily Wu were on hand as police announced the arrest. Council member Brandon Johnson’s district covers the park where the statue was stolen from.
“I’m really happy to see that one of the individuals is now in jail. I’m grateful for the work that the Wichita Police Department has done. The incredible amount of time spent with the interviews and to the community as well helping out with leads,” Johnson said.
Donations have been made to replace that statue. A bronze casting foundry, Art Castings of Colorado, in Loveland, Colorado, has the mold for the Jackie Robinson statue.
Watch the full news conference above.