SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities have filed charges against a man with a history of crime in connection with the theft and destruction of the Jackie Robinson statue taken from the Jackie Robinson Pavilion in McAdams Park, 1329 E 16th Street N, in Wichita.
On Monday, the Sedgwick County District attorney charged 45-year-0ld Ricky Alderete with Felony Theft – Value over $25,000, Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property, Identity Theft and Making False Information, according to Police Lt. Aaron Moses. Alderete has previous convictions for theft and burglary in Sumner County, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. He is being held on $150,000 bond.
Alerete was in custody after an arrest on February 1, for a probation violation, burglary, kidnapping and criminal damage to property unrelated to the theft of the statue, according to online jail records.
Wichita police detectives conducted over 100 interviews both within and outside Sedgwick County to resolve the case.
On January 28, officers from the Wichita Police Department Field Community Response Team located the suspect vehicle used in the theft, unoccupied, at an apartment complex in Wichita.
On January 30, the Wichita Fire Department discovered parts of the statue in a trash can at Garvey Park while responding to a fire call. Investigators continued to persistently pursue leads in the case.
On February 12, Wichita police investigators presented the case details to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.
The investigation has not revealed any evidence indicating that this was a hate-motivated crime, instead, police believe this theft was motivated by the financial gain of scrapping common metal, according to Moses. Police detectives remain committed to gathering information to identify and charge all individuals involved in the theft and destruction of the statue.
Donations poured in after the theft, approaching $300,000, said Bob Lutz, executive director of the Little League nonprofit that commissioned the sculpture.
Lutz has said that some of the extra money raised also could enhance some of its programming and facilities. In April, the group opened the Leslie Rudd Learning Center, which includes an indoor baseball facility and a learning lab.
Lutz, whose friend, the artist John Parsons, made the statue before his death, said the mold is still viable and anticipated that a replacement can be erected within a matter of months.