League 42, a non-profit youth baseball leauge, has announced its stolen Jackie Robinson statue has been found dismantled and burned” at Garvey Park in the south part of Wichita; that's on Washington street near the Arkansas River & I-135.
The Wichita Fire Department got a call after 8:30 Tuesday morning of a trash can fire at Garvey Park. Fire crews found what appeared to be remnants of the statue. The Wichita Police Department said the statue is unsalvageable.
The statue was stolen last Wednesday night at McAdams Park at 17th Street North and Ohio, which is about seven miles away from where the burned remnants of the statue were located Tuesday morning.
The Wichita Fire Department is investigating the arson, while police continue to search for the thieves.
Police released surveillance video and photographs after the theft. Investigators with the police Property Crimes Bureau worked all weekend following up on leads, and also getting help from the WPD Field Community Response Team.
Monday afternoon, police announced investigators were able to find and recover the brown truck used in the theft, saying detectives were following up on some “promising” leads.
Rewards are being offered for information leading to arrests.
League 42 is raising money to replace the $75,000 statue.