Police make arrest in Jackie Robinson statue theft
WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH/Gray News) - Police said a man has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of a Jackie Robinson statue from a ball field in Kansas.
Ricky Alderete, 45, was arrested on multiple charges, including felony theft with a value more than $25,000, police said. He was also charged with aggravated criminal damage to property, identity theft and making false information.
Police say they have uncovered no evidence suggesting the theft was racially motivated. They said it is believed the statue was stolen so the bronze could be sold.
Police said they believe three people were at McAdams Park when the statue was taken, and authorities said there would be more arrests.
Alderete was first booked into jail on Feb. 1 on other charges. Police gathered additional information to make an arrest for the theft.
The theft happened in the early morning hours of Jan. 25. Police subsequently recovered the truck believed to have been used in the theft.
A GoFundMe established to help cover the cost of a replacement statue, which was funded by nonprofit baseball and educational organization League 42, raised nearly $200,000. Other donations were announced by Major League Baseball and Spangles, among others.
League 42 is named for the number Jackie Robinson wore when he became the first Black player in MLB in 1947.
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