It has been over a year since baseball legend Cal Ripken Jr.’s mother was kidnapped for a day and the case is still unsolved. The retired Baltimore Orioles shortstop told reporters today that he is offering $100,000 for information that leads to the culprit’s arrest.
“After talking as a family with members of law enforcement and friends, we decided we would try to reignite interest in the case,” Ripken said in a press conference at Camden Yards in Baltimore, reports CNN.
CBS Baltimore reports that Vi Ripken was abducted from her Aberdeen, Maryland home on July 24, 2012. She was held at gunpoint and forced to get into the man’s car. He drove her around for 24 hours and then returned her home without injuries.
The culprit’s identity is still unknown. Surveillance footage from a Walmart suggests that he is in his 30s or 40s, 5’10, with glasses and short brown hair.
Lt. Fred Budnick of the Aberdeen Police Department confirmed that there were tips based on the footage, but none “panned out” and it’s now a cold case. Authorities hope that Ripken’s new offer reignites interest.
“At this time there is no new information. We have nothing new on a motive. And it's still an active investigation,” Burke explained, notes CNN. “It is a troubling case. It is an elderly lady who was taken from her residence.”
America’s Most Wanted’s John Walsh has also been called in to help the FBI and police. “If somebody knows who this dirt bag is, they’ll drop a dime on him and try to collect that money,” Walsh said. He also put the case on the show’s website.
Ripken, who retired from baseball in 2001, added that he wants to see the case solved not only for closure, but also to save future victims.
Anyone with information is asked to call AMW at 1-800-CRIME-TV or the FBI at 410-265-8080.
image: Wikimedia Commons
