Man Gets 15 Years in Prison for Stealing Jackie Robinson Statue from Youth League

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVAugust 3, 2024

Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Ricky Alderete was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to stealing and destroying a Jackie Robinson statue from League 42—a youth baseball league—in Wichita’s McAdams Park, according to Daniel Fair of KSN.com.

Alderete pleaded guilty to one count each of aggravated burglary, interfering with law enforcement, criminal damage to property, aggravated criminal damage to property, theft, making false information and identity theft.

“I never meant to hurt anybody; that’s not what I wake up every morning and think, ‘I’m going to go out and hurt people,’ that’s not me,” Alderete said. “I’ve had a drug addiction for a long time, and I’ve never asked for help. Had problems, and the only thing I’ve ever known to run to was drugs. … I’m sorry. I’m sorry to my family. I’m sorry that I’m not there right now. I’m embarrassed. I’m ashamed, and whatever you do to me, I accept it.”

Footage from security cameras showed the Robinson statue being cut off at its feet before being stolen, with damages that reportedly totaled in excess of $75,000. The statue was eventually found “dismantled and burned.”

Police said the theft was motivated by “the financial gain of scraping common metal.”

A GoFundMe fundraiser brought in $194,780 to replace the statue, while Major League Baseball and all 30 teams also committed money to help replace the statue. It has since been installed.

“This morning, we erected the new Jackie Robinson statue at McAdams Park, and we will unveil it on Monday evening,” League 42 executive director Bob Lutz said. “Many dignitaries from the MLB will be there in attendance. We will celebrate a joyous occasion because those of us in League 42 decided not to let this act impede our mission.”