Jan 29, 2024

Police recover truck used in theft of statue from Kansas park

Posted Jan 29, 2024 10:00 PM
photo Wichita Police
photo Wichita Police

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement continue to investigate the theft of the Jackie Robinson statue that occurred early January 19 from a public park in Wichita.

According to Wichita Police Lt. Aaron Moses, investigators from the Wichita Police Property Crimes Bureau worked all weekend following up on leads and information they have uncovered.

With the assistance of the police Field Community Response Teams, investigators were able to locate and recover the truck believed to be used in the theft of the statue.

Security camera image of the truck
Security camera image of the truck

Detectives are continuing to follow promising leads and are confident will result in an arrest of the suspects responsible for this theft.

We are still asking the public for help in bringing the people responsible for this horrible act into custody.

The statue honors the first player to break Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947. Surveillance video was released of two people hauling the sculpture away in the dark. Wichita police said in a Facebook post that it went missing Thursday morning.

Photo City of Wichita
Photo City of Wichita

The statue was cut at the ankles to be removed. All that remained of the statue Friday were Robinson's feet.

The Wichita Metro Crime Commission offered a reward Friday of up to $2,500 for tips leading to arrests and another $5,000 for tips that lead to the statue's recovery.