The City of Wichita has reported the theft of a Jackie Robinson statue from McAdams Park, Wichita City Government posted on Facebook Thursday.
The city says the statue symbolizes Robinson's groundbreaking role as the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball. It was forcibly removed Wednesday night, causing an estimated $75,000 in damage. according to To Wichita City Government.
A photo posted on the city's Facebook post shows the statue was severed just above its feet.
Surveillance footage provided by police KSN Footage taken near the scene appears to show a truck circling the area around midnight. The video then shows several people gathered near the statue. The suspects are believed to have removed the statue from its pedestal, loaded it into the same truck and fled the scene. They reportedly left just before 12:20 a.m., according to KSN.
“If you have any information regarding this senseless and callous crime, please submit your tip anonymously to Crime Stoppers,” Wichita Police said on Facebook. statement. The department also shared a photo of the suspect truck. “The truck pictured below is wanted in connection with this theft. If you know who owns this vehicle, or who may be driving it, please contact the Wichita Police Department immediately. .” (Related: Stolen 'Wiener Man' statue returned after man wears hot dog suit)
Wichita city government says the statue was created by the late artist John Parsons. The theft had a huge impact on the community, especially Bob Lutz, executive director of League 42, a local nonprofit baseball league, according to KSN. “This was one of the crowning achievements of his storied and long career,” Lutz told the magazine. “I was very proud to be able to accomplish that at McAdams Park. The city of Wichita was a great partner in building the Jackie Robinson Pavilion, which has now been torn down. It's a combination of every emotion you can imagine except joy and happiness.”