Cal Ripken's mother has been the victim of violent crimes twice in the last 15 months, but the Hall of Famer says she remains unbowed.
“It’s terrifying in some ways to think that two things could happen to her in this span of time, but Mom is a strong lady,” Ripken told The Baltimore Sun.
On Tuesday, a man with a handgun approached 75-year-old Vi Ripken near a bank in Aberdeen, Md., and tried to carjack her, police said. She activated a key alarm and the man left.
Aberdeen police later charged Jesse Bowen, 33, of Havre de Grace with attempted armed robbery, attempted armed carjacking, possessing a dangerous weapon, first degree assault and several controlled substance related charges.
On July 24, 2012, Ripken was taken from her Aberdeen home at gunpoint and returned unharmed 24 hours later. At that time, police released a sketch, photographs and a surveillance video that were believed to show a potential suspect.
No one has been charged in that case.
“She refuses to allow these incidents to affect her life,” Cal Ripken told the newspaper. “Maybe to all of us that live around her, all the people who love her, we’re a little more affected than she is. It’s amazing to me that she is who she is and she’s able to handle things like she does. She wants everybody to know she’s OK and that’s about it.”