This is a horrible crime that happened and I am very glad she was found unharmed. But the suspect is on a billboard?? Paid for by the police department and sherrifs office?? Shame on them for such preferential treatment. Proof that money and status still influence... sad.

Wow really! What about child molesters,or murderers, terrorists...

This is a really strange case. But I'm going out on a limb here and make a suggestion regarding the identity of the suspect. I'll bet that he is someone who is known to the Ripken family. Maybe a distant relative, a cousin, or the spouse of a family member. The reason I say this is that it is so unusual for no one from the Ripkin family to come forward and say something...ANYTHING about the case. I haven't even heard a statement even as bland as, "We hope that law enforcement officials identify and arrest the suspect in this case." Why is that? I'm thinking that they are between a rock and a hard place because the perp is someone who is known to the family. Remember, you heard it here first.

I see no evidence that they're being extra aggressive in trying to solve the crime because the victim is well known. The suspect is still at large, and it's not likely that his next victim will be anyone but obscure.

I just wonder if I, a 67 yr old woman, had been abducted in the same fashion as Vi Ripken, there would be all the publicity and daily stories on the local news? I seriously doubt it. However, I am more than glad that Ms. Ripken is OK.

Well I have to say I agree with the above posters...The suspect has been on EVERY news channell,newspaper,internet site,flyers EVERYWHERE does he REALLY deserve all this attention..I m glad Mrs Ripken is o.k. but...Mayb a little overkill..

Wonder why my comment was not accepted - I simply expresssed an opinion!

I recall an incident earlier this week where a 74 y.o. woman from baltimore county was walking her dog came in contact with a passer by and just offered a good day to her...she left her front door un-locked as she has done for years...When she returned the assailant was in her house...The SAME person bid her a good day This elderly woman was beaten and attacked,She appeared on t.v. bruised and beaten about her face..credit cards were stolen,and money..a good neighbor relized there was something out of sorts....My point well....She to had a description and i see NO BILLBOARD to aid in finding her assailant...BUT....Once again I am glad Mrs. Ripken was unharmed..This poor woman was not so lucky:(

I see no one has commented on how much Cal has given to the City of Aberdeen throughout the years...so that being said if he gets a little extra help from the law enforcement to help his family so be it..I am sure he has paid for it through his generosity of giving to the community...

I live 3 doors down from Mrs. Ripken. While I'm glad Mrs. R is safe and sound, it's frightening to know this happened so close to home. I've been living here 5 years and can count on one hand the times I've seen APD in
the neighborhood.

Since this incident, I've seen the sheriff's office represented and APD has a car parked in the alley behind the Ripken house. I think we're going to surprised by the outcome of this one.

Wow what preferential treatment she's getting. Who's paying for the billboards? Not to be crass, but I hope myself, as a taxpayer, is not! What about the average "Joe" - he doesn't get a billboard. I don't think that gal Phylicia Barne sgot one!

Seems to be a lot of jealous negative people. Ripken has done alot for Aberdeen some of which was pretty nasty
Let it go already

I keep seeing the word "alleged" popping up in news reports. Either she was abducted or she wasn't. It's very odd.

Phylicia Barne did have a billboard. 95 city line

I do not detect jealousy in these posts. These folks would like to know WHY the tax payers are paying for the billboards and not the Ripkens. Yes all the sources paying for the billboards are funded by our taxes. Local, state, and federal. Very good observations by your posters.

Nobody is disputing the things "The Ripken Family" has done for the city as well as Harford county but I stand by my above statement:)

I agree with some people on here. They should NOT have billboards in this case. Look--if the woman WAS kidnapped (and I highly doubt it), since they claim she was driven around for 24 hours STRAIGHT and never had to get any gasoline (which would be impossible) she should not be treated any differently than your average person. I see victims worse off than this and THEY do not get billboards or this much media attention. For God's sake, the so-called PERP put a cigarette in her mouth (which was supposedly taped up) and lit them for her. He even stopped for food? And, NOBODY would have seen this woman blindfolded and apparently gagged while he was getting her food?? Come on people! Anyhow, I hope the Ripkens are enjoying this attention. I'm sure they are. Again--this woman who was allegedly kidnapped was not even hurt and NO MONEY (that they know of) was taken from her. I am not buying it for a minute. I think the State of Maryland should spend money on BILLBOARDS looking for people who are MURDERERS, ETC. (and not for THIS). But, hey--this is a "special" family. So, if Aberdeen wants to invest the time and money on this, so be it.

How do you know that the Ripken family didn't pay for the billboards? I'm sure that the family, just as any family would, is doing all that they can to aid in the investigation no matter the cost to them personally.

I know it says "jointly funded by Aberdeen Police Department, Harford County Sheriff's Office, Metro Crime Stoppers and the FBI", but the family could have made a donation to those funds to offset the cost.

Everyone on here sounds like an expert. But, suppose it was your mother? Can you even imagine the fear of the mother and the family? I thank God that she is unharmed. I pray that the person is caught before he tries to abduct again.