Two men have been charged with grand theft following the theft of a bronze statue commemorating five-year-old Jakey Duque from a park in Florida named in his honour. The statue, which measures 44 inches in height, was taken from Jakey Duque Park in Miami Lakes but was later recovered thanks to an anonymous tipoff to the boy’s family.
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Jakey Duque tragically passed away in 2020 after battling a rare form of cancer. His parents diligently documented his health struggles on social media, and their efforts garnered significant support, leading to a group of followers known as “Jakey’s Army.” In recognition of Jakey’s bravery, a statue was unveiled in 2021 at the park dedicated to his memory.
According to reports from local news agencies, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office received a call on Saturday afternoon regarding the missing statue. Deputies promptly arrived at the location, near Northwest 154th Street and Northwest 89th Avenue, to investigate the disappearance. It was established that the statue had been unlawfully removed from the site, with an estimated value of around £8,000.
Following the theft, Jakey’s family received a message from an individual who remained anonymous, informing them of the statue’s whereabouts at a residence less than half a mile from the park. Accompanied by law enforcement, the family recovered the statue, which had been found concealed in a black bag.
“This person who turned it in didn’t want anything in return. They just wanted to do the right thing,” expressed Karen Duque, Jakey’s mother, in an interview following the recovery of the statue.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office arrested 27-year-old Derick Coca in connection with the theft. He faces charges of third-degree grand theft. Reports indicate that Coca was caught trying to relocate the statue when law enforcement apprehended him. During a bond court appearance, a judge imposed a condition barring him from returning to the park. Coca later posted a £2,000 bond.
Karen Duque and her family revealed they had no intentions of pursuing prosecution against the individuals implicated in the theft. “We already forgave him. We’ve never judged them. We said from the very beginning we’re not pressing charges,” Karen stated. She elaborated on her desire to understand the motivations behind the theft, pondering, “What would compel you to go to a park and steal a statue of a boy who represented so many in the middle of the night?”
In a further development, 26-year-old Damian De Los Santos was also arrested in connection with the incident, with both men now facing a single charge of third-degree grand theft. Karen Duque responded defiantly to the situation, affirming that “Jakey’s Army is not something to mess with.”
Plans are underway for the statue to undergo refurbishment before being returned to its rightful place in the park. The family is also looking to implement enhanced security measures to prevent any future incidents. This act of community spirit following the recovery has brought some solace amidst a distressing event, reinforcing the bonds of support surrounding Jakey’s legacy and the impact he had during his short life.