Two people are suspected of stealing a statue of baseball legend and American civil rights icon Jackie Robinson from a park in Wichita, Kansas, on Thursday morning.
The statue was stolen from McAdams Park.
“I am frustrated by the actions of those who had the audacity to remove a statue of Jackie Robinson from a park where area children and families gather to learn the history and play games of this American icon. It's baseball,'' Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan said at a news conference Friday.
“This should upset us all.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
This March 4, 1946 file photo shows Jackie Robinson of the Montreal Royals in Sanford, Florida. (AP Photo/Bill Chaplis, File)
Wichita City Councilman Brandon Johnson called the thefts “horrifying” and “disgusting” and said residents are hurt, angry and want justice.
“A lot of people want to find those people before law enforcement,” Johnson said. “So, again, like the chief and the (district attorney) said, if you have that statue, bring it here today. Come on.”
Police have offered a reward of up to $5,000 for tips leading to the statue's recovery, but the thieves will be brought to justice, police said.
Jackie Robinson (1919-1972) of the 1951 Brooklyn Dodgers. (Keystone/Getty Images)
“Once the statue is returned, we want those who took this treasure from our community to be held accountable for their actions,” Sullivan said. “And I guarantee you we will. The full resources of the Wichita Police Department have been mobilized.”
Former MLB player says Yankees asked former outfielder to give up golf due to injury
The $50,000 sculpture was installed in 2021 at McAdams Park, where about 600 kids play in a youth baseball league.
After playing in the Negro Leagues, Robinson broke baseball's color barrier in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on his first ballot in 1962.
In the majors, Robinson batted .313, won MVP in 1949, and was named an All-Star six times. He was also selected as a Negro League All-Star and was selected as an All-Star seven times in professional baseball.
[PortraitofBrooklynDodgersinfielderJackieRobinsoninuniform1945[1945年にユニフォームを着たブルックリン・ドジャースの内野手ジャッキー・ロビンソンの肖像画。 (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Robinson died in 1972 at the age of 53, and it is widely believed that the stress he endured during his playing days contributed to his early death.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital X sports broadcast and subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
