Ex-Baltimore County Cop, Daughters, Accomplice Found Dead: Report

Towson MD

18 November, 2021

3:17 PM

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SMITHBURG, MD —A former Baltimore County cop, his two daughters and an accomplice, were found dead of gunshot wounds Thursday afternoon in Washington County, TV outlets reported. Robert Vicosa had been on the run since Sunday when he allegedly kidnapped his two daughters — Aaminah Vicosa, 6, and Giana Vicosa, 7 — in York, Pennsylvania. Police said Robert Vicosa was joined by accomplice Tia Bynum, a Baltimore County police sergeant, during a crime spree, which also included an alleged carjacking in Cockeysville, Maryland, on Wednesday. A four-day, multi-state manhunt reportedly ended Thursday, when the girls, Vicosa and Bynum were found dead in a sport utility vehicle, which was reportedly discovered near the intersection of Ringgold Pike and Misty Meadow Road in Smithburg. Police have not confirmed the deaths. Earlier Thursday, Baltimore County Police Chief Melissa Hyatt and authorities from Pennsylvania had held a joint press conference in York, Pennsylvania, to offer updates about the case and plead for the suspects to return the children safely. "These are children, these are babies, and we want to get them back to their mom immediately," York Area Regional Police Lt. Ken Schollenberger said. "We hope that (Vicosa) still remembers that he has duties as a father, and he's going to do the right thing and bring these little girls home." Hyatt directed a message to Bynum, who joined the force in 2007, according to WBALTV, but was suspended when she was alleged to be part of this crime spree. "Tia, our priority is the safety and well-being of Giana and Aaminah," Hyatt said. "Please, get these two innocent and precious children to a safe location. You can drop them off at a public safety facility, or any other safe location with a responsible adult to care for them. Their well-being and safety is everyone's priority. We know that you are tired. We want to work with you on a safe and peaceful resolution." Police said Vicosa and Bynum also were suspected in the carjacking and kidnapping of a man Wednesday afternoon in Cockeysville. Police said the pair was accompanied by two young girls at the time of the alleged carjacking. "We believe that these two suspects (Vicosa and Bynum) committed a kidnapping in Baltimore County yesterday afternoon in Cockeysville." Hyatt said according to WBALTV. "During this incident, these suspects, who were armed with a handgun, carjacked an individual, forcing him to drive these two suspects throughout several different locations across the Baltimore metropolitan area. This victim was later released unharmed." According to police accounts, Vicosa, who also is known as Robert Brown, is suspected of taking a woman captive Sunday at gunpoint, and then taking her car with his two daughters inside. The car was later found in Red Lion Borough, Pennsylvania, police said. Until the the tragic events of Thursday, the girls had last been seen in the area of Hussen Road in Windsor Township, Pennsylvania, around 11:49 a.m. on Tuesday, according to the York Area Regional Police Department. This is a developing story, refresh for updates.