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Police searching for girls in 'extreme danger' after being taken by father during incident in York County

Police are searching for Robert Vicosa after he allegedly took a woman captive at gunpoint before stealing her vehicle and taking the two children.

YORK COUNTY, Pa. — Police are searching for a man who allegedly took his two daughters and stole a vehicle after holding a woman at gunpoint in York County.

Robert Vicosa, 42, is wanted after he allegedly took a woman captive at gunpoint before stealing her vehicle and fleeing the Windsor Township area with young children.

Authorities say that the children, Aaminah, 6, and Giana, 7, are Vicosa's children and believed to be in "extreme danger."

On Nov. 16, police were dispatched to the first block of Husson Road in Windsor Township for a report of a man holding a woman hostage with a firearm.

According to the criminal complaint, the man, later identified as Vicosa, forced a woman to give him the keys to her 2014 Volkswagen Jetta, along with her cell phone, clothing and house phone.

Vicosa fled the scene with the children in the Volkswagen sedan, but police recovered the vehicle in the area of Elm Ave. and Lancaster St. in Red Lion Borough.

Authorities now believe that Vicosa may be driving a black 2013 Lexus GS-350 with the Pa. Registration "KPK076." This vehicle belongs to Tia Bynum, a sergeant with the Baltimore County Police Department. Within the past 24 hours, she has been suspended without pay. 

"We don’t know definitively whether they are in that car or definitively whether they are with Tia, but we can say Tia is not in her home, both girls are still missing, that car is missing and so is Mr. Vicosa," said Lt. Ken Schollenberger, York Area Regional Police.

Robert Vicosa is described as standing about 5'9" tall and weighing 180 pounds. He was last seen wearing blue pajama pants with a penguin imprint, a green long-sleeved three-quarter zip-up shirt, and muck boots.

Aaminah Vicosa is described as being about 3'8" tall and weighing 50 pounds with brown hair and green eyes.

Giana Vicosa is described as standing about 4'3" tall and weighing about 60 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes.

Credit: Crimewatch

Authorities are asking that if anyone sees Vicosa or the two children to contact 911 or 717-741-1259 immediately.

There is also a tip line available at 1-800-762-8187.

Police note not to approach Vicosa, as he is believed to be armed with at least one firearm.

Baltimore County Police have confirmed that Vicosa was employed as a police officer in Maryland from Dec. 11, 2004 until Aug. 5, 2021. He was fired from the department after a demotion from Sergeant to Officer. 

A few weeks after his termination, Vicosa's estranged wife Marisa filed a custody complaint for their two children in York County. As of October, they shared legal custody of the two girls and Vicosa has since violated that custody agreement. 

Vicosa was found guilty of professional misconduct in February 2020 and an appeal was denied in December 2020, according Baltimore County court documents.

In August 2021, he was convicted in the Baltimore County Office of Administrative Hearings of sleeping on duty, insubordination and conduct unbecoming an officer, according to a Baltimore County Fraternal Order of Police newsletter.

This is a developing story. FOX43 will provide updates as they become available.

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