Internet fumes after discovering stolen Jackie Robinson statue found in trash and reduced to ashes

WICHITA, KANSAS: Just when it seemed like the perpetrators responsible for the disappearance of Jackie Robinson's statue couldn't sink any lower, the shocking discovery of the Hall of Famer's statue discarded in a trash can and burned has sparked widespread outrage.

Social media is abuzz with countless individuals expressing their anger toward those responsible for the theft and desecration of Robinson's statue.

Jackie Robinson's statue burned and dumped in trash can

As reported by ABC News, the stolen statue of Robinson, taken from a Wichita Public Park, was discovered dismantled and burned in a trash can fire on Tuesday morning, leading authorities to denounce the act as "disgraceful." The search for the perpetrators is ongoing.

Last week, the statue was taken from McAdams Park in Wichita, with surveillance footage capturing individuals entering Robinson Pavilion around midnight on Thursday. The thieves removed the statue, placing it in a pickup truck. They then cut off the statue at the ankles, leaving only Robinson's feet, resulting in damages estimated at around $75,000.

In a recent update, police authorities have appealed to the public for assistance in capturing the thieves. A reward of $2,500 is offered for tips leading to an arrest, with an additional $5,000 for the safe return of the statue, totaling $7,500.

Around 8:38 am local time on Tuesday, the Wichita Fire Department responded to a report of a trash can fire at Garvey Park, as per ABC News. Upon extinguishing the fire, they discovered what appeared to be pieces of the Robinson statue, deemed "not salvageable at this time" by Wichita police spokesperson Andrew Ford during a press briefing.

While the Wichita Fire Department investigates the arson, the police continue their investigation into the theft, according to Ford.

Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan expressed dismay during the briefing, stating, "It's really disheartening to see the remnants of the statue, the disgraceful way it's been disrespected. This is a direct indication of the pressure our investigators are putting on the perpetrators that committed this act." Sullivan called on those involved to surrender, emphasizing that arrests will be made.

The police announced on Monday that they had recovered the truck believed to have been used in hauling away the statue, but Sullivan did not provide further updates on the vehicle on Tuesday.

The statue, created by artist John Parsons and donated to the community by League 42, a nonprofit named after Robinson's Brooklyn Dodgers number, aims to introduce baseball to Wichita's youth.

Wichita Council member Brandon Johnson expressed his distress, stating, "This was a heartbreaking discovery this morning. I hate to see that the statue was not in one piece. But I do want everyone to know that we are undeterred and making sure that that statue gets rebuilt and put back there for our community, for League 42, for the young people. That symbol of hope will only be gone for a short time."

League 42 founder and CEO Bob Lutz confirmed that the mold from the original statue is still viable, and they intend to replace the piece in the coming months, as reported by ABC News.

Internet users express their outrage toward thieves of Jackie Robinson's statue

A user wrote, "Oooooo the better catch them."

Another user wrote, "Shameful!!! I hope they find the culprits and throw the book at them!!!"

A user commented, "So terrible! Why would they do this? So sad!"

Another user commneted, "This crime is sickening!! I hope they catch them! I'm tired of all the statues and monuments coming down! This is our history!!"