Scammer
Banned
[video]http://www.wbaltv.com/r/25643851/detail.html[/video]
BALTIMORE -- A Maryland father already grieving over the loss of his son said he was robbed of one of the last remnants of their connection.
Ronald -- who asked that his last name not be used -- told 11 News he was leaving a check cashing store Thursday evening on West North Avenue when two men approached him from behind and hit him in the head.
The culprits got away with his backpack, which contained money and dozens of letters written between him and his late son, Aaron.
The 19-year-old committed suicide five months ago after battling depression, Ronald told 11 News reporter Kai Reed.
"For me, it was just a way to stay in touch with my son on a day-to-day basis," he said of the letters. "And you know, reading them, re-reading them, and just trying to stay in contact."
Aaron was finishing his freshman year at McDaniel College when he took his life. He was on academic scholarship and was on the school's tennis team. Ronald said the family didn't know Aaron was dealing with depression.
"When you have a letter, and you see that your son has written that letter, and in some cases there's tears that have fallen on to the letter, where you have wet mark stains, you know that he was crying as he wrote some of those letters," Ronald said.
"I just hope that they'd see some compassion for my situation and the emotional trauma for a dad, losing his only son."
- Ronald
"So it's just real important to try to gather those items back if we're able to."
Police are still looking for the robbers, as well as the bag that Ronald is pleading to have back for his family.
"Whatever was going through those two individuals' minds, and whatever was taking place in their lives, I just hope that they'd see some compassion for my situation and the emotional trauma for a dad, losing his only son," Ronald said.
The stolen backpack is red with black trim and was made by Swiss Army.
Anyone with information is asked to call Baltimore City police.
