Vehicle Vandalized in School Parking Lot: Ring Factory Principal

BEL AIR, MD – The principal at Ring Factory Elementary School is advising parents not to leave valuables out in their vehicles after a parent went into the school to pick up a child Tuesday afternoon and returned to find a wallet stolen.

Principal H. Earl Gaskins said he had "disturbing news to share," explaining that at 2:45 p.m., a window was smashed and a wallet was taken from a vehicle parked in the bus loop in broad daylight.

Haskins said the school day continued as usual and "...all of our students were safe in the building when the crime occurred."

As authorities review surveillance footage to identify the suspect(s)—preliminarily, Haskins said the suspect vehicle appeared to be a black Toyota minivan with dark, tinted windows—the principal offered several safety tips to keep others from becoming victims.

Tips for Avoiding Vehicle Break-Ins

• Keep valuables out of sight; hide electronics, money and wallets or put them in the trunk.
• Do not leave keys in the car or the car running.
• Do not leave children in the car by themselves.

Here is the full statement from Ring Factory Elementary School Principal H. Earl Gaskins:

"Dear RFE parents, guardians, and community members: I have some disturbing news to share with you. This afternoon, at approximately 2:45, a RFE parent’s car was broken into. The driver-side window was smashed and a wallet was stolen from the vehicle in broad daylight. The parent’s car was parked in our bus loop and the incident occurred right after the parent had entered the school building to pick-up her child. The police were called immediately and our surveillance system captured the crime on video. The thieves’ faces could not be seen in the video but it was noted that they were driving a black Toyota minivan with dark tinted windows. Please know that all of our students were safe in the building when the crime occurred. Our building was locked as normal and our school day was unaffected. The main office staff monitors our entry and school cameras. We are working closely with the police as they do what they can to apprehend the thieves. In the meantime, please avoid leaving valuables in plain sight when you exit your vehicle. Make sure iPods, purses, laptops, wallets, and loose cash/change is hidden or in the trunk before entering our school or any location that you may visit. Never leave your keys in the car, or leave your car running. Never leave children in the car by themselves! Be aware of your surroundings at all times when you need to make quick stops and/or errands. Thank you for your support of our school. We will continue to do everything in our power to keep our students safe. Sincerely, H. Earl Gaskins Principal"

Pictured, Ring Factory Elementary School, 1400 Emmorton Road, Bel Air. Photo Credit: Harford County Public Schools.