Wichita, Kan. — A Kansas man was arrested for allegedly stealing an 800-lb historic cannon from a local park to pay off a significant drug debt. Gordon Pierce III, 37, was taken into custody after confessing to the theft, which involved a historic cannon dating back to the Spanish-American War and valued at over $100,000.
The cannon, which was a cherished fixture in Wichita’s Central Riverside Park, was reported missing on April 3, 2025. The theft was quickly linked to Pierce, who reportedly admitted to taking the cannon out of fear for his life. According to the arrest affidavit, Pierce had accrued a $20,000 drug debt after a 1-lb bag of methamphetamine was stolen from him. His dealer, whom he feared would harm him and his family, allegedly threatened him with violence if the debt wasn’t repaid.
Pierce, who has reportedly used meth for 20 years, initially sought to steal copper statues to settle the debt. However, when he found the cannon, his plans shifted. Pierce enlisted the help of a homeless man to remove the cannon from its base around 4 a.m. on April 2, 2025. After successfully taking the cannon, Pierce tried to break it into smaller pieces, hoping to present them to his dealer as proof of his effort to repay the debt.
Despite his efforts, the dealer was reportedly unimpressed with the stolen cannon and expressed concern that it would attract unwanted attention to his house. Police later discovered Pierce’s identity through his friend, who helped the authorities track him down.
When arrested, Pierce was found in possession of methamphetamine. He was charged with theft of property, aggravated criminal damage to property, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is currently being held at the Sedgwick County Jail on a $200,000 bond. Pierce is scheduled for arraignment on May 22, 2025.
The cannon, which had been part of Wichita’s Spanish-American War Memorial since 1990, was recovered but reported to have sustained significant damage. The estimated cost of the damage to the cannon’s base is approximately $10,000.
Wichita Police praised the efforts of local officers and investigators in swiftly apprehending Pierce. The case highlights the continued challenges posed by drug-related crime and the lengths some individuals will go to in order to settle debts.
