Featured Columnist IVAugust 3, 2024
Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Publish through Getty Photographs
Ricky Alderete was sentenced to fifteen years in jail after pleading responsible to stealing and destroying a Jackie Robinson statue from League 42—a youth baseball league—in Wichita’s McAdams Park, in keeping with Daniel Fair of KSN.com.
Alderete pleaded responsible to at least one rely every of aggravated housebreaking, interfering with regulation enforcement, prison harm to property, aggravated prison harm to property, theft, making false data and id theft.
“I by no means meant to harm anyone; that is not what I get up each morning and assume, ‘I’ll exit and harm individuals,’ that is not me,” Alderete mentioned. “I’ve had a drug dependancy for a very long time, and I’ve by no means requested for assist. Had issues, and the one factor I’ve ever recognized to run to was medication. … I am sorry. I am sorry to my household. I am sorry that I am not there proper now. I am embarrassed. I am ashamed, and no matter you do to me, I settle for it.”
Footage from safety cameras confirmed the Robinson statue being cut off at its feet earlier than being stolen, with damages that reportedly totaled in extra of $75,000. The statue was ultimately discovered “dismantled and burned.”
Police mentioned the theft was motivated by “the monetary acquire of scraping frequent metallic.”
A GoFundMe fundraiser introduced in $194,780 to exchange the statue, whereas Main League Baseball and all 30 groups additionally dedicated cash to assist substitute the statue. It has since been put in.
“This morning, we erected the brand new Jackie Robinson statue at McAdams Park, and we’ll unveil it on Monday night,” League 42 government director Bob Lutz mentioned. “Many dignitaries from the MLB can be there in attendance. We are going to have a good time a joyous event as a result of these of us in League 42 determined to not let this act impede our mission.”
