Police Need Help Solving Vi Ripken's Abduction
ABERDEEN, Md. (WJZ) -- New clues in the kidnapping of baseball legend Cal Ripken's mother. Nearly four months after Violet Ripken was abducted from her home, police release new surveillance photos of the armed kidnapper and they're on the lookout for a car that could lead to him.
Meghan McCorkell has the latest on the investigation.
Since the abduction in July, police say they have worked nonstop but still have not identified the man who kidnapped Ripken.
New surveillance pictures were just released of the man police say abducted Vi Ripken from her home at gunpoint. Four months into the investigation, there are still more questions than answers.
"We still have no motive. We really can't say if she was the target or if this was a random act yet," said Aberdeen Police Lt. Fred Budnick.
WJZ has learned these latest images of the suspect were taken in the days after the kidnapping outside a Wal-Mart in Middle River. Police are also looking for a witness from that parking lot in a green Dodge minivan with stickers in the back window.
Police believe the people inside that car may have had some kind of interaction with the suspect and may be able to identify him.
Investigators say the armed gunman abducted Ripken from her home July 24. For nearly 24 hours, he drove her around tied up in the backseat of her own car.
He was caught on tape at a Glen Burnie Wal-Mart before he left her unharmed inside her car, just feet from her home.
The incident had Cal Ripken Jr. pleading for answers.
"I think I struggle with why so I'd want to know why," he said back in August.
Investigators hope these new pictures could provide some clarity.
"We need to get this guy off the street and we need your help to do that. Somebody knows this guy," Budnick said.
Investigators say they've had tips come in from as far away as California but none of those tips have led to the suspect.
Police emphasize that the driver of the minivan is not a suspect. They believe that person is a witness who may have gotten a good look at the suspect.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Aberdeen Police Department at 410-272-2121.
