Aggravated assault at Derwood convenience store

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an aggravated assault at a convenience store in Derwood Thursday evening, December 30, 2021. The assault was reported at a store in the 15800 block of Frederick Road at 6:45 PM. There are two gas stations with convenience stores on that block - 7-Eleven and Marathon Gas.

Car stolen from Derwood auto dealership

Auto thieves broke into an automobile dealership in Derwood early yesterday morning, December 7, 2021, and stole a car. Montgomery County police responded to the burglary at a dealership in the 15900 block of Indianola Drive at 1:06 AM, according to crime data. 

Beer and wine store to open in Derwood

A new tenant has signed on at the small strip mall just south of the 7-Eleven at MD 355 and Redland Road in Derwood. The store will sell beer and wine, as well as Maryland Lottery tickets. It fills the end space at 15809 Frederick Road, across from the Rockville neighborhood of King Farm.

Tesla rival Polestar opens first Washington D.C.-area dealership in Rockville

The electric car age is fully upon us, and Montgomery County auto buyers are finding each year is bringing more options to the market. Polestar, a Swedish rival to Tesla, has just opened a location at 15401 Frederick Road in Rockville, just north of Gude Drive. This is on the site of the DARCARS Volvo dealership. That's not surprising, because Polestar is partly owned by Volvo.

Polestar is most strongly promoting its Polestar 2 sedan. It looks like a cross between a Volvo electric, a Tesla, and a hint of Lincoln at the rear. It goes 0-60 in 4.7 seconds. The company also offers something Tesla won't for another couple of years, a sports coupe called the Polestar 1. A Polestar 3 is anticipated to be built in America, and the company recently announced plans to go public.

Like Tesla, the company provides a different retail experience than traditional automakers. Its sites are called Spaces, not "dealerships," and are designed to look like exhibit-filled museums rather than sales floors. Polestar doesn't have the wide network of proprietary supercharger sites that Tesla owners enjoy. But unlike Tesla owners, you can charge up at standard charging stations wherever you find them. Kudos to Polestar for touting Rockville's "bustling restaurants and shops surrounding a traditional town square with its manicured lawn" in its promotional materials for the space.

Photos courtesy Polestar

Armed robbery in Derwood

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery on a residential street in Derwood on Wednesday afternoon, October 6, 2021. The robbery was reported outside a townhome in the 7900 block of Yellowstone Way, a new townhome development along Redland Road at 3:05 PM, according to crime data. A firearm was the weapon employed in the robbery.

Second Derwood McDonald's to get renovated interior

Renovations are ahead for the McDonald's at 16701 Crabbs Branch Way in The Grove shopping center. Unlike the complete overhaul seen at the other McDonald's in Derwood recently, this project will update the interior of the restaurant. 

This location already got a remodel to a newer McDonald's exterior design in the last decade. Other Rockville-area McDonald's have gotten varying degrees of updates in recent years, including the flagship Rockville Pike and White Flint locations.

Police release video of Derwood armed robbery suspect

A suspect has been caught on surveillance video in the August 3, 2021 armed robbery of the 7-Eleven convenience store/gas station at 15821 Frederick Road in Derwood. Montgomery County police have released the images, and are seeking the public's help in identifying the suspect. Detectives say he displayed a knife, and lunged at the cashier behind the counter, although this is not shown in the video footage. The suspect then allegedly fled the store with "stolen property," which was not further described as merchandise or money by police.

Anyone with information regarding this suspect or this crime is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or submit a Crime Solvers tip online or via the app. Crime Solvers may pay a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest in this case.

Armed robbery at Derwood gas station

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery at a gas station in Derwood on Tuesday evening. The robbery was reported at a gas station in the 15800 block of Frederick Road around 6:08 PM, according to crime data. A weapon other than a firearm was employed in the robbery.

Robbery and assault at Derwood restaurant

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a robbery and assault at a restaurant in the Derwood area Saturday night. An unspecified weapon other than a firearm was utilized in the robbery, which occurred at a restaurant in the 15800 block of Frederick Road around 10:06 PM, according to crime data.

Next Level Studio opening new studio in Derwood

Next Level Studio, a dance studio with a competitive dance program and a variety of classes, will open a new facility at 15811 Frederick Road in Derwood, across from King Farm. Classes are currently being held in a space at the rear of the building, while construction on the new studio is being completed at the front.

Atlantic Guns opens new Rockville store

After 70 years in business, family-owned Atlantic Guns has consolidated its Rockville and Silver Spring gun shops into a brand-new Rockville location. The new Atlantic Guns is now open at 15813 Hungerford Drive (MD 355) in the King Farm/Derwood area of Rockville. It's right up the street from Wendy's and McDonald's.

Atlantic Guns carries long guns, handguns, ammo, and firearm accessories. They also sell non-lethal defense products like Tasers, camping and survival gear, archery equipment, knives and fishing supplies.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, only ten customers may enter the store at a time. The first customer at the new store received a free Benchmade knife.

Derwood home invasion invader posed as package deliveryman, police say

A frightening and brazen home invasion in Derwood Friday was attempted by a man posing as a package deliveryman, Montgomery County police said. The man rang the doorbell at a home in the 7200 block of Titonka Way carrying a package and wearing a UPS/Fed Ex-style deliveryperson uniform. Believing a package was being delivered, the homeowner answered the door, only to have the man draw a gun.

The homeowner called out to a second resident inside the home. At this point, the invader forced his way into the foyer of the house, and threatened that he would kill both residents, police say. He then pushed one resident, and pistol whipped the other. The second resident was treated for injuries resulting from being struck on the head by the gun.

Alleged Derwood home invader (at far left) runs
to getaway white van
(top photo)

After the assault, the invader turned and fled the residence, dropping his box in the driveway as he ran. He leaped into a white Ford van and sped off, his run and getaway being recorded all the while by a neighbor's doorbell camera. Unless the footage was edited, it also appears a second individual was driving the white van, as it moves after the suspect is already at the door of the invaded home.

Anyone with information about this suspect or this home invasion robbery is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5100.

Derwood man missing

A Derwood man is missing, and Montgomery County police are seeking the public's help in locating him. Recardo Dewayne Dickerson, 46, hasn't been seen since he left his group home on Granby Road around 11:30 AM this past Sunday, February 23, 2020.

Police describe Dickerson as being about 5’07” tall, and weighing 165 pounds. He has black hair, brown eyes and facial hair that consists of a beard and mustache. Dickerson was wearing a red jacket, brown pants, and a blue hat when he disappeared.

Anyone who has information regarding the whereabouts of Recardo Dewayne Dickerson is asked to call the police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000 (24-hour line).

New scrap metal furnace proposed for Southlawn Lane in Rockville

The Maryland Department of Environment says it is poised to issue a construction permit for a new metal reclamation furnace at Montgomery Scrap Corporation, located at 15000 Southlawn Lane in Rockville. A US Furnaces MAX 4000SP Secondary Aluminium Sweat Furnace, it is rated at 5MMBtu/hr heat input, and will be fueled by natural gas or propane. MDE says it is a replacement for an existing furnace.

To request a public meeting regarding the air quality impacts of the furnace, residents or other concerned parties must write to MDE within 20 days of the department's February 18 announcement of the potential permit approval. Public comments on the proposed furnace can also be sent to the same mailing address (within 30 days, or 5 days after a hearing if one is requested), which is Ms. Shannon Heafey, Air Quality Permits Program, Air & Radiation Administration, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21230.

Anyone who would like to review the application, draft permit, and other supporting documents, can request Docket # 03-19 at the Rockville Memorial Library at Rockville Town Square.

Derwood armed robbery video released by police

Montgomery County police detectives have released surveillance video from a brazen, daytime armed robbery of a beer and wine store in Derwood. A man with a covered face brandishing a handgun entered Midway Beer and Wine at 16057 Frederick Road around 2:29 PM on January 2, 2020. He allegedly threatened two employees, and demanded cash.

The alleged getaway car

Receiving an undisclosed amount of cash, the suspect fled the store and sped off in a metallic brown Nissan Altima, model year 2016 or later. Detectives say they believe there was a getaway driver waiting in the Altima on Frederick Road.

Anyone with information regarding the suspects or this armed robbery is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5100. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest in this case.

Police seek suspect in attempted burglary of Derwood Gulf station

A man tried and failed to break into the Gulf gas station at 15805 Frederick Road in Derwood, and now police are seeking your help in finding him. The suspect attempted to break a window at the service station Tuesday morning at 3:25 AM. Unable to do so, he fled on foot.

WATCH: Video of Gulf suspect

Investigators are asking anyone with information regarding this suspect to call the 1st District Investigative Section at 240-773-6084. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest and/or indictment for this crime.

Derwood McDonald's to expand

The Derwood McDonald's at 15801 Frederick Road is planning an expansion. Under the site plan submitted by McDonald's USA, LLC to Montgomery County, the restaurant will increase in size on the lot from the current 5586 SF to 6082 SF.

The drive-thru will be changed to the dual lane design found at many McDonald's locations these days, allowing two rows of cars to line up at once. There will be "three small building additions" to the restaurant itself, and bicycle parking will be added.

McDonald's' site plan will be reviewed by the Montgomery County Planning Board on November 7, 2019. Planning staff is recommending approval of the site plan.

McRib is back at McDonald's (Video review+Photos+McRib Locator)

McRib is back! McDonald's legendary sandwich, one of a handful of fast food items to earn my 6 star rating (out of 5 stars), has returned to Montgomery County and Maryland for the first time in seven years. I hadn't had a McRib since 2012, and am pleased to report they are just as good as they were in the past. Watch my detailed review of McRib 2019, and find the McRib nearest you using the official McRib locator. Many thanks to McDonald's and the local franchise for listening to their loyal customers and bringing back McRib!

Giant ends Senior Tuesdays discount

Senior Tuesdays usually find an increase in shoppers at local Giant stores. That was because of the 5% discount for seniors. About two weeks ago, however, some seniors discovered the popular promotion is ending.

While the 5% discount was honored that Tuesday, the shoppers were informed that they could sign up at the customer service desk for a new promotion where coupons would be mailed to them at home. I asked the corporate office at Giant, and they confirmed that the Senior Tuesday promotion is being axed.

Giant said they are introducing a new plan for seniors, a personalized monthly mailer with targeted coupons and nutrition advice. As store employees told shoppers two weeks ago, you can sign up for the mailings at the customer service desk using your Bonus Card and mailing address.

Derwood man missing

Montgomery County police are seeking the public's help in finding a missing Derwood man. Marvin Darnell Obrien, 33, lives in a group home on Granby Road. He was last seen by caretakers there on September 7, when police say he left the home on foot.

Police describe Obrien as an African American male, approximately 5’9″ to 6’ 1” tall and weighing 160 pounds. He has short black hair, brown eyes, and a tattoo located on his forehead.

Anyone who has information regarding the whereabouts of Marvin Darnell Obrien is asked to call the police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000 (answers 24-7).