Baltimore County Police hope a composite sketch can crack a crime. The drawing was released Friday, officers say the suspect kidnapped a women and her two children then tried to rob them.
It's a face that’s probably burned into the victim's memory. The stranger threatened the safety of her family, forced himself into her car, and tried to steal from her. He's a man who officers are hunting for.
The crime happened in a Towson shopping center parking lot nearly five weeks ago. It was around 7:30PM and the women had just gotten to her car with her two children. She was putting her one-year-old daughter and two-month-old son inside when the suspect came up to them.
"Suspect said that he had a gun and that if she screamed he was gonna shoot her," Baltimore County Police Corporal John Wachter said.
The crook climbed into the passenger seat and made the 34-year-old start driving, ordering her to take him to the bank. Problem was, the woman claimed her wife had all the cash and plastic, and she was back at the store still shopping.
"So he makes her turn around, go back to the parking lot where they sit there and wait for her wife to come out of the store," said Wachter.
According to investigators, when the wife got to the car and saw the situation she ended up getting into an altercation with the man. The criminal ran away empty handed.
"Fortunately, kids are fine, two young children, both women have very, very minor scrapes."
It was still a frightening and disturbing experience. Officers hope you can help them catch the man. If you know who he is, or see him on the streets, please call police at 410-307-2020.
During the holidays Baltimore County Police have extra officers patrolling around area shopping centers. However, they say there are things you can do to make yourself less of a target for criminals:
- Shop with others
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Look for anyone acting suspicious in the parking lot
- If you're uncomfortable don't hesitate to dial 911
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