Law enforcement in Wichita, Kansas announced the arrest of a suspect connected to the theft of a bronze Jackie Robinson statue. 

The statue was stolen from a public park and was later found dismantled and burned. On Tuesday, Wichita police said Ricky Alderete, 45, was taken into custody earlier this month due to his connection to an unrelated case. He has a criminal record that includes burglary and theft, state correction department records show.

But, on Monday, Alderete was charged with the theft of the Robinson statue. It remains unclear how investigators ultimately came to the conclusion that Alderete was a suspect in the theft.

Lutz, whose friend, the artist John Parsons, made the statue before his death, said the mold is still viable and anticipated that a replacement will be completed at some point in the summer. Major League Baseball, in a coordinated effort with its franchises, will cover the costs of the new statue.

Alderete is jailed on $150,000 bond on charges of felony theft, aggravated criminal damage to property, identity theft and making false information.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.