Kansas Man’s Bizarre Cannon Heist Fueled by Meth Debt

A bizarre crime has unfolded in Wichita, Kansas, involving the theft of a historic, 800-pound cannon from a local park. The perpetrator, identified as 37-year-old Gordon Pierce III, reportedly confessed to the crime, stating that he was motivated by a desperate attempt to settle a drug debt that had put his life and family in danger. Newly released court documents, including an arrest affidavit obtained by KAKE News, shed light on the sequence of events that led to this unusual act of desperation.

According to the affidavit, Pierce told Wichita police officers that he was under immense pressure from a drug dealer who claimed Pierce owed him a significant amount of money. Fearing for his safety and the safety of his loved ones, Pierce allegedly decided to steal items he could sell for cash to pay off the debt. He initially sought copper statues, but his search led him to the historic cannon in the park on the morning of April 2.

Pierce admitted to being a methamphetamine user for the past 20 years. He recounted a previous transaction with the same drug dealer, where he received a pound of meth. However, Pierce claimed he was uncomfortable with such a large quantity, as he believed it would be difficult to sell. He further stated that someone attacked him and stole the meth. The drug dealer, however, did not believe Pierce’s story and demanded $20,000, threatening to harm him and his family if the debt was not paid.

Desperate and under duress, Pierce then sought assistance from a homeless man he encountered at a nearby pavilion. In exchange for meth and a pipe, he convinced the man to help him chain the heavy cannon. The report indicates that the two men smoked meth together at the park before attempting to move the cannon.

The sheer weight of the 800-pound cannon presented a significant challenge. Pierce told police that he and the homeless man were unable to load it into his Chevrolet Tahoe. They then attempted to drag the cannon with Pierce’s SUV, but the chain repeatedly snapped under the strain. Frustrated by their lack of progress, Pierce left the cannon and drove to a friend’s house to borrow a stronger chain.

His friend, however, refused to assist him in moving the cannon. Undeterred, Pierce managed to drag the cannon to his friend’s house and store it inside the garage. Over the next several hours, Pierce reportedly used a Sawzall to cut the cannon into four or five pieces. He loaded the smaller pieces into his Tahoe, leaving the largest piece behind in his friend’s garage.

Pierce then took the cannon pieces to his drug dealer in an attempt to demonstrate his efforts to repay the debt. However, the drug dealer reacted negatively, calling Pierce "stupid" and warning him that his actions would "bring heat to his house." The drug dealer also reportedly threatened to shoot Pierce in the head if he saw him again.

Feeling "helpless" after the encounter, Pierce went to his mother’s house to explain the situation. He reportedly told police that he chose the cannon because it was located in a dark area. However, a detective noted that Pierce did not have a concrete plan for selling the cannon pieces, as he lacked the identification typically required for selling scrap materials.

Police were able to trace the cannon’s path by following indentations in the road allegedly caused by Pierce dragging it to his friend’s house. They located Pierce at his friend’s residence, where he confessed to the crime. During his arrest, officers allegedly found a clear baggie containing a white crystal-like substance, which Pierce identified as methamphetamine.

Pierce remains in the Sedgwick County Jail, facing charges of theft of property, aggravated criminal damage to property, and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond is set at $200,000. He has waived his preliminary hearing and is scheduled for arraignment on May 22.

The theft has deeply impacted the local community. Historians have described the cannon as "irreplaceable," noting that it was gifted to the City in 1900 and has been a "priceless fixture" in the community ever since. The Wichita Police Department, in a statement on its Facebook page, emphasized its commitment to holding individuals accountable for victimizing the community and highlighted the swift investigation that led to Pierce’s arrest.

The case underscores the devastating consequences of drug addiction and the desperation it can drive individuals to. It also highlights the vulnerability of public historical artifacts to theft and vandalism. The fate of the historic cannon remains uncertain, but authorities are likely working to recover the remaining pieces and assess the possibility of restoration. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by drug-related crime and the need for comprehensive solutions that address both addiction and the illicit drug trade. The community mourns the loss of a significant piece of its history, while Pierce faces the consequences of his actions, driven by the grip of addiction and fear. The investigation continues, with the focus now on holding all parties accountable and preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future.