Statue honoring fallen Miami Lakes cancer victim recovered after theft; 2 suspects arrested

MIAMI LAKES, Fla. — A bronze statue honoring 5-year-old Jakey Duque has been recovered nearly a week after it was stolen from the Miami Lakes park that is named after him, authorities said.

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“Jakey’s Army is not something to mess with,” said Karen Duque, the boy’s mother, after the statue was found.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded just after 1 p.m. Saturday to the park, located at the intersection of Northwest 154th Street and 89th Avenue, after receiving a report that the statue had been stolen.

Detectives with the agency’s General Investigations Unit said they took over the case and determined that the bronze statue, valued at approximately $8,000, had been removed by “unknown suspects.”

They said the statue remained missing for several days before investigators received information Wednesday about where it was located. With assistance from MDSO’s Robbery Intervention Detail Team, detectives were able to find and recover the statue, authorities said.

Investigators said they arrested 27-year-old Derick Coca on Thursday after he was caught attempting to move the statue to another location.

Officials also arrested 26-year-old Damian De Los Santos, who they said was connected to the theft.

MDSO detectives said they will continue investigating whether other people were involved in the theft.

The statue holds special significance for the Duque family and the Miami Lakes community. Jakey died at age 5 after battling a rare form of cancer.

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His parents have said they wanted his memory to remain present in the community and for the statue to serve as a reminder of the young boy’s strength and courage.

“Faith is knowing that no matter what life throws at you, God is going to equip you with what you need,” said Duque. “And that’s what Jakey showed us.”

Neighbors said they were relieved when the statue was returned.

“It has just been a long few days knowing that someone had taken it, something that means a lot to the family and to our community,” neighbor Patty Becerra said.

Becerra said the statue also serves as a reminder of how fragile life can be.

“How life is so very fragile, so very fragile,” she said. “So I’m glad it’s back. It means a lot to all of us.”

MDSO officials shared photographs of the detectives who helped recover the statue alongside Jakey’s father and mother after its return.

Jail records show Coca and De Los Santos are facing one count each of third-degree grand theft.

As of Thursday, both suspects were being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on $2,500 bond.

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