Man Charged for Stealing and Destroying Jackie Robinson Statue for Scrap Metal

Travis Heying/AP

Police on Monday charged a man for the theft and destruction of a Jackie Robinson statue in Wichita, Kansas in January, the Associate Press reported.

A few weeks ago, police began searching for the statue after learning of its disappearance from McAdams Park. The park is home to a youth baseball league called League 42, named after the legendary player’s jersey number.

The bronze statue was cut at the ankles from its base. Only the cleats remained.

Days later, firefighters responded to a trash can fire approximately seven miles away from the park. There, they found the burned remains of the statue.

Ricky Alderete, 45, was charged with felony theft, aggravated criminal damage to property, identity theft and making false information. He was taken into custody on a $150,000 bond. Records also revealed he had a previous record of theft and burglary offenses.

According to Wichita Police Lt. Aaron Moses, Alderete was arrested earlier in February for an unrelated crime.

Moses also said the theft was a “hate-motivated crime.” It is believed Alderete stole the statue to sell the metal. The statue is worth an estimated $75,000.

Police said it was only the first arrest made for the theft. Surveillance footage showed at least three people present at the location where the statue was taken.