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A statue of baseball legend Jackie Robinson was stolen from a Kansas park final week. On Tuesday, the statue was discovered dismantled and burned in what authorities are calling a “disgraceful” act.
In line with the Associated Press, the statue was stolen from McAdams Park’s League 42 youth baseball facility final Thursday, which was named after the quantity that Robinson wore.
When responding to the report of a trash can hearth at Garvey Park on Tuesday morning, the Wichita Hearth Division discovered items of the Robinson statue after extinguishing the flames.
“I’m pissed off by the actions of these people who had the audacity to take the statue of Jackie Robinson from a park the place children and households in our group collect to be taught the historical past of Jackie Robinson, an American icon, and play the sport of baseball,” Wichita police Chief Joe Sullivan mentioned at a information convention on Friday. “This could upset all of us.”
Sullivan urged these concerned in any approach to flip themselves in. “Both means, we will likely be arresting a number of folks for what they’ve executed to our group,” he mentioned.
A hearth division investigation of the arson is underway, whereas a police investigation of the statue’s theft continues. The Wichita Hearth Division is investigating the arson whereas police proceed investigating the theft. To date, police mentioned they’ve recovered the truck they imagine was used to haul away the statue.
“We’re going to maneuver ahead right here and never look again,” mentioned the league’s director, Bob Lutz, at a press convention. “At this time is a day the place we all know what’s forward of us, and we’re going to confront that head-on.”
The statue can’t be salvaged, the league plans to exchange it utilizing the unique mould, made by artist John Parsons, a detailed pal of Lutz.
“It is going to be a joyous event — in contrast to right now, in contrast to the previous 5 days,” Lutz mentioned. “We’re prepared for some pleasure. We’re prepared for some happiness,” mentioned Lutz.
The statue, put in in 2021, value about $50,000, based on the Associated Press.
To assist pay for the brand new statue, a GoFundMe marketing campaign has been arrange and as of this report, has raised over $119,000.
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