Slight changes to new cell tower proposed for Derwood

NB+C, LLC proposed building a new cell tower in Derwood last August, which would be at an unspecified property "near Derwood Road." While the exact spot they plan to erect it remains secret, a couple of new details have emerged.

The tower is now proposed to be 5 feet shorter at 150' tall. They also now say it is not expected to have any aircraft warning lights on it. Many homes are located in the vicinity of the proposed site.

Suspect in custody after Derwood burglary-armed robbery rampage

Montgomery County police have arrested a man in connection with a spree of burglaries and armed robberies in the Derwood and Gaithersburg area. Anthony Paul Mackie, 27, of "an unconfirmed address," has been charged with committing three commercial armed robberies and ten commercial burglaries in the Derwood, Gaithersburg, and Montgomery Village areas between December 2, 2017, and March 3, 2018.

Officers nabbed Mackie around 5:40 AM on March 3, as he allegedly was attempting to burglarize Redmill Beer and Wine - his alleged effort to victimize the store for a third time in two months. He is currently being held without bond. Here is Mackie's alleged rap sheet from the rampage, according to detectives who have put the pieces together:

• December 2 and December 25, 2017, burglaries of the Verizon store located at 7250 Muncaster Road in Derwood.
• January 23, Mackie robbed the Redmill Beer and Wine store located at 7248 Muncaster Mill Road. Mackie threatened an employee with a knife and obtained an undisclosed amount of currency.
• On February 6, Mackie attempted to rob the B & B Beer & Wine store located at 8403 Snouffer School Road. Mackie threatened an employee with a knife and fled from the store without obtaining any currency.
• On February 7, Mackie robbed the 7-Eleven store located at 17701 Muncaster Road. Mackie threatened an employee with knife and obtained an undisclosed amount of currency and fled from the store.
• February 24, burglary of the Biscotti Restaurant located at 7212 Muncaster Mill Road in Derwood.
• February 27, burglary of the Redmill Beer and Wine store located at 7248 Muncaster Mill Road in Derwood.
• February 27, burglary of the Ferguson plumbing supply store located at 19320 Woodfield Road in Gaithersburg.
• February 27, burglary of the Kim Airpark Auto Repair located at 7605 Airpark Road in Gaithersburg.
• February 27, burglary of the Tony’s Corvette Shop located at 7500 Rickenbacker Drive in Gaithersburg.
• February 27, burglary of the Goshen Nails located at 20215 Goshen Road in Montgomery Village.
• February 27, burglary of the the McDonald’s restaurant located at 9100 Rothbury Road in Montgomery Village.

Hungry Howie's in Derwood becomes Favor & Flavor pizzeria

Hungry Howie's is gone at 17609 Redland Road in Derwood. Replacing Howie's flavored crusts is Favor & Flavor pizzeria, serving pizza, calzones, salads, wings, a variety of breads, and dipping sauces.

There is a website for Favor & Flavor with a menu, and you can also use it to place an order. The restaurant is located in Redland Plaza.

155' telecommunications tower proposed for Derwood Road

NB+C, an Elkridge, Maryland-based wireless site development firm, is proposing to erect a 155' monopole telecommunications tower "near Derwood Road" in Derwood. There are quite a few homes around that immediate area, but the announcement does not identify the specific spot the 15-story-tall tower will be placed.

The tower will be in a historic area of Derwood, and the public may comment on its impact on any nearby historic sites by writing to Environmental Corporation of America, ATTN: Dina Bazzill, 1375 Union Hill Industrial Court, Suite A, Alpharetta, Georgia 30004. You can also call her at 770-667-2040, ext. 111.

An environmental review may be requested from the FCC, as well. You must identify the specific environmental impacts you believe the tower will have when filing under the FCC "Pleadings System" at FCC.gov.

Rita's Italian Ice grand opening this Saturday in Derwood

Rita's Italian Ice will celebrate its official grand opening at 7211 Muncaster Mill Road tomorrow, Saturday, July 15, 2017 in Derwood. Buy one treat, get one free all day long. There will also be a custard-eating contest, t-shirt unraveling contest, and taste-testing contest, along with other activities. Find out what their flavors of the day are each day by liking their Facebook page.

Derwood resident charged with sexual assault at Red Door Spa in Kentlands (Photos)

A Derwood masseur is facing sexual assault charges, following alleged acts he committed this year while employed at the Red Door Spa in the Kentlands. Gavin Anthony Otto, 42, of the 7200 block of Blanchard Drive in Derwood, has been charged with one count of second-degree sex offense, and one count of fourth-degree sex offense, after being arrested at his home last week.

Otto is now free on $20,000 bond.

He was accused of sexually assaulting and inappropriately touching two different women while giving them a massage, on July 7 and November 17, respectively, at the Red Door Spa.

But Montgomery County Police detectives say they believe there may be additional victims among clients of the Red Door Spa. Anyone who believes that he/she was a victim of inappropriate contact by Otto, or has any information about inappropriate contact by Otto, is urged to call the Special Victims Investigations Division at 240-773-5050.

POLICE SEARCHING FOR INDECENT EXPOSURE SUSPECTS IN ROCKVILLE, DERWOOD (PHOTOS)

Montgomery County Police are asking for the public's help in locating two suspects wanted in indecent exposure incidents in Rockville and Derwood recently.

The first took place at Flagship car wash, at 2100 Chapman Avenue in Rockville, on September 4 at approximately 1:40 AM (what are people doing at a car wash at 1:40 AM, anyway?). A man exposed himself to 41-year-old woman, police allege, and fled the scene.

The suspect is described as a medium-skinned black male, between the ages of 50-60 years old, approximately 5’07″, 165 pounds, with short black hair and a mustache.  He was last seen wearing dark blue basketball shorts and a purple shirt with unknown writing on it.

A second indecent exposure was reported on August 28, at 3:18 PM, on a Ride On bus in the 8100 block of Needwood Road. The suspect fled southbound on Redland Road, seemingly heading toward the Shady Grove Metro station, police say.

The suspect is described as a light-skinned black male, approximately 6’00″ tall, 245 pounds, with brown eyes, very short black hair, a black mustache and goatee with facial stubble.  He was last seen wearing black cargo shorts, black and white shoes, a gray shirt, black baseball cap, and was carrying a red and white backpack.

Anyone who recognizes either suspect, or who has further information, is asked to contact the 1st District Investigative Section at 240-773-6084.

DERWOOD RESIDENTS ANGRY ABOUT GROUP HOME

Angry residents of Derwood are challenging Montgomery County officials over a group home for psychiatric patients they contend was improperly rubber stamped by government. The Gazette reports that the home, located at 6112 Granby Road, has been the source of 6 police responses, and 8 visits by Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services so far.

"Crisis" patients, including those with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and manic depression, are staying in the home for 3 to 10 day residences, according to the Gazette. Some have been found wandering the neighborhood unsupervised.

Residents were dissatisfied with the county's response to their concerns at a meeting Tuesday evening, and are now considering a legal challenge, reports the Gazette's Terri Hogan.

Group homes have generated controversy in recent years, particularly when such operations came to light in Clarksburg and Aspen Hill only after violent crimes by residents drew public attention.