On April 16, 2023, in north Baltimore’s Charles North, a couple pulls into a busy shopping plaza on Maryland Avenue.
“A male victim and a female approached a shopping center. The female got out of the vehicle and went into the store to purchase some items,” said Al Maresca, Deputy Marshal with the US Marshals Service.
But what was supposed to be a quick errand suddenly turned into a man’s fight for his life.
“While the male was sitting in the parking lot two black males approached his vehicle,” said Maresca. “One jumps in the front seat. One in the back. Both armed with handguns.”
The man in the front, investigators say, was 30-year-old Timothy Diggs, of Baltimore.
“The male in the front pointed the handgun at the victim,” said Maresca. “Specifically, he said, you know what time it is.”
Investigators say Diggs and another man demanded the victim’s cash and car.
He gives up the money, hundreds of dollars, but then refuses to hand over the keys.
“As soon as he refused the suspect in the front seat smacked him with a pistol in his head,” said Maresca. “The male subject in the front seat pistol whips the driver when he refuses to produce his keys.”
Luckily, investigators say, something scares off the suspects.
Both jump out of the car and run off.
Police respond, and with the help of witnesses, investigators say, receive a rather detailed description of the criminals.
“In this case the subjects were pretty easy to identify. The male in the back had his braids in a bun, wearing a red or orange jacket and carrying a guitar. When police talked with witnesses it was easy to identify the subjects,” said Maresca.
A week goes by, when police suddenly get a small break in the case.
A shootout happens at the very same shopping plaza.
One of the people involved, investigators say, is Diggs' co-conspirator in the armed robbery/attempted armed carjacking.
“The second subject was involved in a shootout. When police got to the scene police learned it was one of the individuals they were looking for in the robbery,” said Maresca.
That case, investigators say, provided a stronger lead to Diggs.
But leads have run dry.
The US Marshals Service has now joined the search, saying Diggs is known to frequent Baltimore and Washington DC.
“He allegedly brutally assaulted a male victim,” said Maresca. “Whenever an individual commits a crime like this they have a clear disregard for public safety. It's important to get individuals like this off the streets so the great citizens of Baltimore can live in peace.”
Diggs stands at about 5’10” and weighs approximately 160lbs.
Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts you’re asked to contact the US Marshals Service at 1-877-WANTED-2 or contact agents directly at 202-819-5058.