Kansas Jackie Robinson Statue Theft Deemed: NOT HATE CRIME

Think back to last month . . .

The Pulitzer Prize winning pundit for The Kansas City Star said this crime was akin to a racist lynching. 

Now, very much like most acts of petty crime . . . Police indicate that the suspect was likely looking to score some cash and didn't care about the consequences or the impact on the community.

Check-it:

"Police said the suspect stole the statue to sell it for scrap metal.

" 'If you try to take something from this community, it won't tolerate it,' Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan said.

"SUSPECT was arrested for felony theft, aggravated criminal damage to property, identity theft, and making false information yesterday."

A more direct quote on the topic . . .

"Wichita police Lt. Aaron Moses said the man was taken into custody earlier in an unrelated case and charged Monday with multiple counts, including aggravated criminal damage to property. Moses said he was 'very confident it was not a race-related crime." He said the motive appeared to be financial. '

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Wichita police say man arrested for Jackie Robinson statue theft intended to sell it for scrap metal

Police are expected to make additional arrests in the case.

Jackie Robinson statue theft: Man arrested was not motivated by race, police say

Police in Wichita, Kansas, say a 45-year-old man has been arrested in the theft of a bronze Jackie Robinson statue found dismantled and burned.