Current:Home > FinanceStolen Jackie Robinson statue found "dismantled and burned" in Wichita, Kansas-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Stolen Jackie Robinson statue found "dismantled and burned" in Wichita, Kansas
View Date:2024-12-23 17:11:44
Police in Kansas are searching for a suspect after a bronze statue of Jackie Robinson was vandalized and stolen last week. The dismantled remains of the artwork were found Tuesday morning by the Wichita Fire Department when it responded to a small trash fire.
Wichita police said Monday it had located the truck that was believed to be used in the theft of the artwork, but added that detectives and officers were still searching for the people responsible.
The life-size statue, which was erected in 2021 as part of the Jackie Robinson Pavilion in Wichita, is one of just four statues of the athlete in the nation. It was cut off from the ankles up and put in a pickup truck in the very early hours of Thursday morning, according to police.
The burglary has sparked outrage from members of the community and League 42, the nonprofit organization that put the statue up. Police are not yet sure of the motive for the vandalism, and believe the perpetrators could have stolen the statue to salvage the bronze metal.
"I'm frustrated by the actions of those individuals who had the audacity to take the statue of Jackie Robinson from a park where kids and families and our community gather to learn the history of Jackie Robinson," Wichita Police Department Chief Joe Sullivan said Friday in a news conference.
"What troubles me even more is that the theft occurred just before the beginning of February, which marks the start of Black History Month," Sullivan said, adding that the timing of this robbery will be considered in the investigation.
Bob Lutz, the founder of League 42, said in a statement on the fundraising platform GoFundMe, "As law enforcement searches for the statue and the culprits of this crime, we remain devoted to our mission of providing low-cost baseball and education opportunities for our 600 kids, ages 5-14. They are as heartbroken over this theft as any of us and we are determined to either repair the original sculpture or create a new one."
- In:
- Baseball
- Vandalism
- Kansas
- Jackie Robinson
Simrin Singh is a social media producer and trending content writer for CBS News.
veryGood! (1329)
Related
- Opinion: Chris Wallace leaves CNN to go 'where the action' is. Why it matters
- Is Simone Biles competing today? When star gymnast competes in women's all-around final.
- American doubles specialists Ram, Krajicek shock Spanish superstars Nadal, Alcaraz
- Utility chief in north Florida sentenced to 4 years in prison for privatization scheme
- IAT Community Introduce
- Author of best-selling 'Sweet Valley High' book series, Francine Pascal, dies at 92
- Georgia prosecutors committed ‘gross negligence’ with emails in ‘Cop City’ case, judge says
- Sonya Massey made multiple 911 calls for mental health crises in days before police shot her at home
- KFC sues Church's Chicken over 'original recipe' fried chicken branding
- Christina Hall Reacts to Possibility of Replacing Ex Josh Hall With Ant Anstead on The Flip Off
Ranking
- Watch: Military dad's emotional return after a year away
- I love being a mom. But JD Vance is horribly wrong about 'childless cat ladies.'
- Recount to settle narrow Virginia GOP primary between US Rep. Bob Good and a Trump-backed challenger
- Blake Lively Debuts Hair Care Brand, a Tribute to Her Late Dad: All the Details
- Wisconsin authorities believe kayaker staged his disappearance and fled to Europe
- Former Denver police recruit sues over 'Fight Day' training that cost him his legs
- GOP Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine opposes fall ballot effort to replace troubled political mapmaking system
- 2024 Olympics: Simone Biles Has the Perfect Response to Criticism Over Her Hair
Recommendation
-
TikToker Campbell “Pookie” Puckett Gives Birth, Welcomes First Baby With Jett Puckett
-
Donald Trump’s EPA Chief of Staff Says the Trump Administration Focused on Clean Air and Clean Water
-
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend's Son Miles Diagnosed With Type 1 Diabetes
-
Map shows 13 states with listeria cases linked to Boar's Head recall
-
Mariah Carey's Amazon Holiday Merch Is All I Want for Christmas—and It's Selling Out Fast!
-
Chicago woman of viral 'green dress girl' fame sparks discourse over proper club attire
-
Member of ‘Tennessee Three’ hopes to survive state Democratic primary for Senate seat
-
Utility chief in north Florida sentenced to 4 years in prison for privatization scheme