Kansas Man Faces Charges After Alleged Theft of Historic Cannon for Drug Money

A Kansas man has been accused of stealing an 800-pound historic cannon from a local park, allegedly to fund his drug habits. This stunning incident has drawn significant attention in Wichita and beyond, especially with fresh details emerging from court documents.

Arrest Details Unfold

The arrest affidavit provides chilling insights into the circumstances leading to the theft. According to documents obtained by local news outlets, Gordon Pierce III, aged 37, approached Wichita police claiming that he felt his life was in jeopardy. He asserted that a drug dealer had threatened him over an outstanding debt, prompting him to steal the cannon as a means of generating quick cash.

Pierce admitted to officers that he had long struggled with meth addiction, having used the substance for over two decades. The affidavit reveals that he initially attempted to locate copper statues to sell but stumbled upon the cannon instead on April 2. This discovery proved to be a drastic turn in a desperate search for funds.

Desperate Measures Amid Threats

According to Pierce’s account, the drug dealer had given him a pound of meth, but he felt overwhelmed and unable to sell that quantity. Fearing for his safety, Pierce indicated that he was attacked and his meth was stolen by an unidentified assailant. The dealer allegedly demanded $20,000 as repayment, threatening to harm Pierce and his family if he failed to comply.

Pierce devised a plan involving a homeless man he encountered at a nearby pavilion. He offered the man meth and a pipe in exchange for assistance in stealing the cannon. Their misadventure took a disturbing turn when the two reportedly used meth together in the park before executing the theft.

The Stolen Cannon and Police Investigation

Despite the cannon’s substantial weight, Pierce attempted to load it into his Chevrolet Tahoe with the help of the homeless man. Unfortunately for them, their efforts were in vain as they struggled to move the historic artifact. Unable to secure the cannon, Pierce resorted to dragging it, but faced further obstacles when the chain kept snapping.

Ultimately, he left the cannon behind temporarily, seeking a new chain from a friend nearby. Although his friend refused to help move the cannon, Pierce managed to drag it to his friend’s house and stored it in a garage, believing it would remain hidden.

Evasion and Arrest

The following hours saw Pierce cutting the cannon into several pieces using a Sawzall, in a desperate attempt to conceal his crime. He planned to show the drug dealer the fragmented cannon pieces as a gesture of attempting to settle his debt. However, the dealer reacted scornfully, warning Pierce that he was only inviting trouble upon himself.

Exhaustion and fear overwhelmed Pierce after he received more threats from the dealer, compelling him to confide in his mother about the events that had transpired. It was during this confusion and turmoil that law enforcement discovered evidence linking him to the theft.

Police Discoveries and Charges

Law enforcement officials traced the path where Pierce had dragged the cannon and linked him to the crime scene. During his arrest, they uncovered a baggie containing a white crystal-like substance, which he confessed was methamphetamine. This finding has compounded the legal troubles Pierce is now facing.

He currently remains detained in the Sedgwick County Jail, facing serious charges, including theft of property and aggravated criminal damage to property, alongside possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond is set at $200,000, and he has already waived his preliminary hearing, with an arraignment scheduled for May 22.

Historical Significance of the Cannon

Historians have weighed in on the incident, emphasizing the cannon’s irreplaceable value. Officials noted that the cannon was a gift to the City of Wichita in 1900, and that its absence would be deeply felt within the community. Statement from Wichita police underscored this sentiment, reinforcing that the cannon is a priceless community fixture.

As officials continue to investigate, they praised the rapid response and thorough investigation that led to Pierce’s arrest. They reiterated a commitment to ensuring accountability for crimes that victimize their community, sending a strong message that such acts will not go unpunished.

A Community Reeling

The events surrounding the theft of the historic cannon are a stark reminder of the complex challenges faced by individuals struggling with addiction, as well as the lengths some may go to in moments of desperation. As this case unfolds, many in the community remain hopeful for justice and the eventual recovery of the stolen artifact.