A forty five-year-old man is now in police custody after cops declare he stole and destroyed a beloved Jackie Robinson statue in Kansas … however authorities say they imagine his actions have been NOT motivated by hate.

Based on the Wichita Police Division, Ricky Alderete has been hit with 4 prison costs — together with felony theft and aggravated prison harm to property — after authorities say he nabbed the famed JR monument from exterior a youth baseball facility late final month after which burnt it down to a pile of rubble.

Cops say their investigation revealed Alderete dedicated the act in an effort to money in on the figurine’s steel scraps.

Officers added they imagine there could be extra people concerned within the crime.

“Our detectives stay dedicated to gathering info to determine and cost all people concerned within the theft and destruction of the Jackie Robinson statue,” cops mentioned in a press release Tuesday. “The WPD extends its gratitude to the group for his or her assist, endurance, and knowledge associated to this case.”

Metropolis officers, in the meantime, have already mentioned they plan to interchange the Robinson sculpture with one other one within the close to future.

A GoFundMe put in place to lift cash for the eventual alternative statue has garnered greater than $194,000.