A bronze statue of baseball legend Jackie Robinson has been stolen from a Little League park in Wichita, Kansas. The brazen theft took place in broad daylight and was captured on surveillance video. The video footage shows two individuals loading the statue into the bed of a silver truck before driving away. The thieves reportedly sawed off the statue at its ankles, leaving behind only its feet.
The statue, installed in 2021, was a symbol of hope for the community and held special significance for League 42, a nonprofit Little League organization. The number 42 on the statue represented Robinson's iconic jersey number. The theft has deeply saddened the community, as the statue held great meaning for the youth, parents, and coaches involved with League 42.
