WICHITA, Kan. — A group of completely soulless thieves stole the iconic Jackie Robinson statue from a youth baseball park this week, just days before Black History Month, leaving behind nothing but the bronze shoes.
Wichita police revealed Thursday that unidentified thugs cut down the statue atop Robinson's shoe and then fled with the rest of the famous player's likeness around midnight Thursday from McAdams Park in Wichita, Kansas.
“Overnight, the Jackie Robinson @League42ICT statue in McAdams Park was stolen. Someone cut it off right above Jackie's shoe and loaded it into a truck,” the police department wrote. “Our community is devastated.”
Overnight, @League42ICT The Jackie Robinson statue in McAdams Park was stolen. Someone cut it off over Jackie's shoe and loaded it into a truck. Our society is destroyed. pic.twitter.com/MWbJvwga0k
– Wichita Police (@WichitaPolice) January 25, 2024
ABC reported that the crime occurred around midnight Thursday.
Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan criticized the individuals responsible during a news conference Friday and was particularly troubled by the timing of the crime.
I am frustrated by the actions of these individuals who dared to take a Jackie Robinson statue from a park where children, families and our community come together to learn about the history of Jackie Robinson, an American icon, and to play the game of baseball. . This should bother us all.
What bothers me even more is that the theft occurred right before the beginning of February, which marks the beginning of Black History Month.
The police released a video of the incident and shared it with the media. One can see the suspects entering Jackie Robinson's suite, removing the statue, and placing it in a pickup truck.
He watches:
The city of Wichita estimates total damage at about $75,000.
As ABC noted, the Wichita Metro Crime Commission said Friday during a press conference that it is offering up to $7,500 for information related to the incident. This includes a $2,500 reward for information leading to arrests and a separate reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the statue being found.
Jackie Robinson is one of the greatest baseball players of all time and was the first player of color to play in the major leagues during the modern era. During his career, he was subjected to terrible racist criticism from fans and other teams alike, but he showed remarkable restraint in the face of this hatred.
Robinson played for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro Leagues and for the minor league Montreal Royals before being signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. While playing for the Dodgers, Robinson was Rookie of the Year in 1947 and made six All-Star Games. He also won the World Championship with the team in 1955.
Robinson also used his greatness as a ballplayer to rally support for the civil rights movement. After retiring from baseball in 1957, Robinson frequently appeared with Martin Luther King at rallies, fundraising events, and demonstrations.
After his death in 1972, Robinson was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of his accomplishments on and off the field.
