Man Charged In Connection To Theft Of Jackie Robinson Statue

Wichita Police said the case is not being considered as a hate crime at this time.

A 45-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection to the theft and burning of a life-size statue of Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson in Wichita, Kansas.

Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett charged Ricky Alderete with felony theft of value over $25,000, aggravated criminal damage to property, identity theft, and making false information, according to the Wichita Police Department.

The statue was stolen on Jan. 25, and officers located the suspected vehicle on Jan. 28 at an apartment complex, authorities said. On Jan. 30, the Wichita Fire Department found pieces of the statue burning in a trash can after responding to a fire call.

During a press conference, Wichita Police Lt. Aaron Moses said the case is not being considered as a hate crime at this time.

“The investigation has not revealed any evidence indicating that this was a hate-motivated crime,” Moses said. “Instead, we believe this theft was motivated by the financial gain of scrapping common metal.”