WICHITA, Kan. — The man who stole a bronze Jackie Robinson statue that was cut off at the ankles and found days later smoldering in a trash can in a city park in Kansas is going to spend about 15 years in prison, although most of that time is related to a burglary that happened a few days after the January statue heist.
A judge sentenced Ricky Alderete Friday on three different cases that he said in court stemmed from his addiction to fentanyl.
The League 42 youth baseball league plans to unveil a replacement statue of Robinson crafted from the original mold Monday at a park in Wichita, Kansas. The city was shocked when the statue was cut from its base in January, leaving only the statue’s feet behind. The league that primarily serves low-income youth is named after Robinson’s uniform number with the Brooklyn Dodgers, with whom he broke the major leagues’ color barrier in 1947.
Firefighters found burned remnants of the statue five days later while responding to a trash can fire at another park about 7 miles (11.27 kilometers) away.
Alderete pleaded guilty to the theft. He was sentenced to 18 months and ordered to pay $41,500 restitution for stealing the statue. He got the most time for an aggravated burglary that happened Feb. 1 that carried a sentence of 13.5 years in prison.
“I let fentanyl take over me and made a lot of poor decisions. I am not going to deny that. I never meant to hurt anybody,” he said in court Friday. “I am embarrassed, I’m ashamed. Whatever you do today I accept. I am ready for that. I believe I am where I am supposed to be right now because at the rate I am going, I might have been dead.”
After the original statue was stolen, donations to replace it rolled in, including $100,000 from Major League Baseball. Former New York Yankees manager Joe Torre and Cy Young award winner CC Sabathia are expected to attend Monday’s unveiling.
The bronze cleats that were left behind when the original statue was stolen are now on display at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri.
Robinson played for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues before joining the Brooklyn Dodgers, paving the way for generations of Black American ballplayers. He is considered not only a sports legend but also a civil rights icon. Robinson died in 1972.
A Kansas man has been sentenced to prison for the theft of a bronze statue of baseball legend Jackie Robinson. The statue, which was located outside of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, was stolen in broad daylight by the man in question.
The theft of the statue caused outrage among the local community and baseball fans across the country. The statue, which depicted Robinson sliding into home plate, was a symbol of the pioneering athlete’s impact on the game of baseball and American society as a whole.
After an investigation by local law enforcement, the man responsible for the theft was identified and arrested. He was charged with theft and vandalism, as well as possession of stolen property. The man pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to several years in prison for his crimes.
The theft of the Jackie Robinson statue serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and protecting our cultural heritage. Statues and monuments are not just pieces of metal or stone; they are symbols of our history and the values we hold dear. When these symbols are desecrated or destroyed, it is a blow to our collective memory and identity.
The sentencing of the man responsible for the theft of the Jackie Robinson statue sends a strong message that such actions will not be tolerated. It also serves as a warning to others who may be tempted to commit similar crimes in the future.
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum has since replaced the stolen statue with a new one, but the impact of the theft will not soon be forgotten. The memory of Jackie Robinson and his contributions to the game of baseball and civil rights will continue to inspire future generations, despite the actions of one individual.
In conclusion, the theft of the Jackie Robinson statue was a shameful act that has been met with justice. It serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our cultural heritage and honoring those who have made significant contributions to our society. The sentencing of the man responsible for the theft should serve as a deterrent to others who may consider committing similar crimes in the future.
