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Jackie Robinson statue was stolen from Kansas park to be sold as scrap metal: police

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Jackie Robinson statue was stolen from Kansas park to be sold as scrap metal: police


The brazen theft of a bronze Jackie Robinson statue in Kansas was not motivated by hate — but was instead committed by crooks who hoped to sell the prized sculpture for scrap metal.

Wichita police revealed the motive Monday as they announced the arrest of one of the suspects tied to the sickening crime in McAdams Park in which the statue was sawed off at the ankles and stolen on Jan. 25.

Ricky Alderete, 45, was charged with felony theft, aggravated criminal damage of property and other criminal counts as more thieves are being sought, according to police.

Less than a week after the theft, parts of the dismantled Jackie Robinson statue were found charred in a trash can in another park in what officials previously called a “heartbreaking discovery.”  

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A bronze statue of legendary baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson was stolen from a park in Wichita, Kan. last month. AP

“If you try to take something from this community, we won’t tolerate it,” Wichita police chief Joe Sullivan said in a press conference.

“I’m confident this is only the first arrest and there are more to come,” he added.  

Alderete was booked into jail earlier this month in an unrelated case before he was charged in the statue theft Monday, police said.

The prized figure honors Major League Baseball’s first player to smash the color barrier when he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.

A 45-year-old man was arrested so far in the case.

Police declined to say how many additional suspects they are seeking, but noted three individuals were at the park when the Robinson statue was hauled away in a vehicle that was later found by police unoccupied in an apartment complex parking lot.

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Investigators believe the statue was stolen so it could be sold as scrap metal. The crime was not motivated by hate, police said.

“We are very confident that this was not a race-related crime,” Lt. Aaron Moses said during the press conference.

Police officials believe more arrests will be made in the case. AP

Wichita Councilman Brandon Johnson said Tuesday he was “really happy” that one of the suspects was in custody.

“I’m looking forward to the rest of them being arrested and charged,” Johnson said.

The community plans to put another Robinson statue up to replace the stolen sculpture with nearly $200,000 raised. 

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Robinson punched his ticket into the Hall of Fame in 1962 – the first black player to enter Cooperstown. The lightning-quick infielder, who boasted a .313 MLB career batting average, began his career with the Kansas City Monarchs as part of the Negro Leagues before signing with Brooklyn.



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Kansas City, Missouri, police searching for 30-year-old missing man

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Kansas City, Missouri, police searching for 30-year-old missing man


KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department is asking for the public’s help locating a missing man.

Jacob Phillips, 30, was last talked to around 10:17 p.m. Wednesday.

Phillips is 5 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs 130 pounds. He has brown hair and hazel-colored eyes, according to KCPD.

Police said his family is concerned for his well-being.

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If anyone sees Phillips, they are urged to call the KCPD Missing Persons Unit at 816-234-5043 or 911.





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Kansas State freshman Jack Fleischaker, 19, dies after falling from fraternity house window

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Kansas State freshman Jack Fleischaker, 19, dies after falling from fraternity house window


A Kansas State University freshman died after he fell from a fraternity house window — just weeks away from the end of the semester.

Jack Fleischaker, 19, plunged from a second-floor window at the Sigma Chi house on the Manhattan, Kan., campus around 3:15 a.m. on April 25.

He was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment, but died three days later, according to the Riley County Police Department.

Jack Fleischaker, 19, who died after falling from a fraternity house window at Kansas State University. KAKE News

Police are investigating exactly how the fatal fall unfolded, but said foul play is not suspected.

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“RCPD extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and the K-State community during this very tragic time,” the department said in a statement to People.

The fraternity said Fleischaker’s death appears to be accidental.

“This was a heartbreaking accident, and there is no indication that anyone is at fault,” Sigma Chi International Fraternity spokesperson Michael Church said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Jack’s family and loved ones during this difficult time. We are actively supporting the chapter with mental health and wellness resources and are grateful for the assistance provided by Kansas State University’s administration as well.”

Fleischaker in the hospital surrounded by family and friends following the fall that later proved fatal. KAKE News

Fleischaker, from Overland Park, Kan., was studying accounting and finance and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, according to his LinkedIn and Instagram profiles.

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As police continue to investigate, Kansas State University said it is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“The university has offered support to the family and has also offered assistance and student support resources to the fraternity members,” spokesperson Michelle Geering said in a statement to the Kansas City Star.

“We are reviewing available information to determine the next steps in accordance with our policies and procedures.”

The Sigma Chi fraternity house at Kansas State University where the tragic fall occurred. KAKE News

The horrifying incident comes four years after Sigma Chi’s University of Kansas chapter was shut down by its national organization in 2022 over hazing violations and lying about it.

There have been no recent hazing reports involving the Kansas State chapter, according to the Kansas City Star.

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Friends and family are reeling from the sudden loss.

“This is a tragic accident that nobody anticipated,” family pastor and friend Gar Demo told KMBC.

“Every trajectory in their life has changed in an instant,” he added.

Kansas State University is reviewing the circumstances surrounding Fleischaker’s death. jzehnder – stock.adobe.com

Demo said the family has faced devastating loss before. Fleischaker’s sister Natalie died 13 years ago from a brain tumor.

“[The family] went through the incredible pain of losing a child then, and I think they’re asking the question,” Demo said.

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“All of us who know them are asking, why did this happen? How could this happen to this family?”

“I think to walk with them again in a different kind of situation but still to lose another child is just not something I have a playbook for,” he said.

“But we walk with our faith and we walk there and we show our strength with them and surround them with the love that we can share.”

In the days after the fall, hundreds gathered at the hospital to say their goodbyes, according to KAKE News.

Fleischaker was an organ donor and is expected to help save lives.

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Kansas Supreme Court affirms conviction in Wichita teen’s 2021 murder

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Kansas Supreme Court affirms conviction in Wichita teen’s 2021 murder


WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A man had his conviction in the 2021 killing of a Wichita teen upheld by the Kansas Supreme Court on Friday.

In a unanimous opinion, the court says that there was plenty of evidence to convict Tyler Kelly and that he had a fair trial.

Kelly was found guilty by a Sedgwick County jury in 2023 of first-degree murder, aggravated burglary and aggravated assault in the July 17, 2021, shooting death of 16-year-old Joseph Florence. Court records show Kelly and a 16-year-old broke into Florence’s home to confront him over a girl.

He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years for first-degree murder. He also got 43 months for aggravated burglary and 13 months for aggravated assault.

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The judge ordered that he serve the 25 years, plus the additional 56 months before he could be considered for parole.

Kelly appealed his conviction. He argued there was not enough evidence to prove he entered Florence’s home illegally or intended to commit a crime, and he made claims of multiple incidents of prosecutorial error. He also argued that the jury should have been given use-of-force instructions to support his self-defense claim.

In an opinion written by Justice Larkin Walsh, the court says there is more than sufficient evidence that Kelly entered the home illegally with intent to assault Florence. The justices determined that Kelly received a fair trial that was free from prosecutorial error.

“We are pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision to affirm these convictions,” the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement. “This ruling brings a final measure of justice to the victims and their families, and it validates the hard work of our prosecutors and local law enforcement in securing this conviction.”

Kelly is currently housed in the Hutchinson Correctional Facility with an earliest possible release date of May 1, 2048, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

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