Radio stolen from vehicle of Rawlings-Blake's husband
UPDATE: Police just made available the incident report, which states that an officer did not respond to take a report until 6:45 p.m., 12 hours after the theft was discovered and almost four hours after we first inquired. Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi calls it a technicality, saying that the mayor's executive protection detail was notified immediately and that it took some time for the case to be turned over to the district.
A satellite radio system was stolen from the vehicle of Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s husband last night near their home in North Baltimore, officials confirmed.
The incident occurred Thursday morning, and officials said it appeared that the doors to the vehicle had been left unlocked as there was no damage to the vehicle.
The mayor’s security team was outside the Coldspring home at the time, but Kent Blake’s vehicle was parked out of view, said spokesman Ryan O’Doherty. Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said that the theft was discovered when Blake got into his car in the morning and realized the equipment was missing.
Officials declined further comment.
Last February, police and the Downtown Partnership launched a public relations campaign aimed at curbing car break-ins, asking people to help by not leaving items of value in their vehicles.
“We just need people to be responsible. Common sense. Secure your valuables,” Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III said at the time.
The mayor can take solace in city crime statistics that show larcenies from automobiles this year are down 9 percent. However, they are up 6 percent in the Northern District, where she lives, compared with this time last year.
City officials, including past mayors, have not been immune from crime. In 2003, a 22-year-old homeless man was charged with stealing a gym bag from a truck parked behind the home of then-Mayor Martin O’Malley.
In 1972, then-Mayor William Donald Schaefer had a watch valued at $42 snatched from his wrist as his arm dangled out of his car at a stoplight. Schaefer chased the man but lost him. A man was shot near the home of Mayor Sheila Dixon in 2007, and sought help from an officer stationed outside her Southwest Baltimore home.
City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young, who lives in East Baltimore, also has a permit to carry a concealed handgun after he said he had been threatened by drug dealers.
Categories: Breaking news, City Hall, North Baltimore
Comments
Come on Sun! Reminds me of the Jenna Bush Bike story. How many celebrity thefts does it take for the Sunpapers to change it's light bulb (light for all...not)?
Posted by: johnny c | November 11, 2010 5:40 PM
It goes to show no one is safe! I have a portable Sirius receiver in my car - I am going to make sure I locked it tonight!
Posted by: Gina | November 11, 2010 5:50 PM
I'm betting it was stolen by a good boy who loves his Moms and was getting ready to turn his life around by going back to school and who just got caught up with the wrong people.
Posted by: HarlanR | November 11, 2010 7:18 PM
Tough crowd tonight.
Tonight??
Posted by: Tomato Head | November 11, 2010 7:49 PM
I love it when we pass on excuses for crime to make it somehow an acceptable behaviour and pass responsibility over to the victim. Shouldn't this statement be directed to the criminal! "We just need people to be responsible."
Posted by: KT | November 11, 2010 8:31 PM
Gee isn't Bernard C Young anti gun. Another poll. who thinks his life is worth more than the law abiding citizens of this fair city. Way to go.
Posted by: j | November 11, 2010 9:46 PM
The mayor's husband listens to Howard Stern? Awesome!
Posted by: Greg | November 12, 2010 6:15 AM
Don't worry I'm sure it will be returned shortly. Stephanie has probably ordered Commissioner Bealefeld to put 6 detectives on the case.
j, it's a classic case of the elites within the anti-gun crowd, they are important so they need protection from criminals while the plebiscite should live in fear for their lives, safety and property.
Posted by: MDP | November 12, 2010 7:42 AM
Who cares ya know?
My guess is the car was unlocked. I lived in North Baltimore and people would walk down the street pulling on door handles. We had a car broken into twice. I'm sure at least 50 cars were broken into last night. Its Baltimore for u.
No different than any other city.
Posted by: James | November 12, 2010 9:23 AM
This is a story that most of us have had to deal with at one point or another, especially if you live in Baltimore. The bigger story is the fact that it took the police hours to come to their aid...and they aren't willing to take a furlough like the rest of us? Whatever.
Posted by: T | November 12, 2010 9:25 AM
I wonder if she is still going to come out and say 'crime is down'. I find it amazing that our elected officials can carry concealed because they are worried about the threats that come from the city, yet, us honest people do not have that opportunity.
Because her husband's car got broken into, crime can't be down? Just because crime is down doesn't mean it's non-existent.
Posted by: Phillip | November 12, 2010 10:47 AM