Rockville couple victimized in Facebook property scam

A Rockville couple fell victim to a Facebook scammer who targeted those seeking rental housing in the area, Rockville City police say. The couple, who live in King Farm, responded to a recent Facebook Marketplace ad offering a property for rent. They were told to electronically send cash deposits prior to viewing the property, police allege.

The couple then scheduled a property tour. When they arrived at the property at the appointed time, they found it was not actually available for rent, and the Facebook scammer was nowhere to be found. Residents should be on guard for such scams on Facebook and other websites with anonymous property listings. Do not pay any money upfront before you can confirm the legitimacy of a transaction or offer.

Car stripped of all wheels in Rockville parking garage

A car was stripped of its wheels in a Rockville parking garage on April 5, 2024, Rockville City police say. At 3:05 AM that morning, two unknown suspects drove a silver hatchback into a garage in the 100 block of King Farm Boulevard. While the getaway driver waited, the second suspect emerged from the vehicle wearing a mask and gloves. The masked suspect smashed the window of a car, and retrieved a wheel lock key from inside. They then proceeded to steal all four wheels from the car.

Thief ransacks unlocked vehicles in Rockville neighborhood

A thief "ransacked" several unlocked vehicles parked in the King Farm neighborhood, Rockville City police say. The cars were parked in the 1100 block of Pleasant Drive, and were not damaged. Police say the unknown suspect managed to find a vehicle key, loose change, a sun shade, and a flashlight.

The thefts occurred on March 28 or 29, 2024. Remember to lock your vehicle, remove all valuables visible through windows, and never leave your keys in the ignition or glove compartment. 

Mystery suspect cuts cable to golf cart backup camera in Rockville

Rockville City police are looking for an unknown suspect who took a bizarre action in the King Farm neighborhood. Sometime between 2:00 PM on March 1, 2024 and 11:00 AM on March 4, an unidentified person cut the cable to the backup camera of a golf cart parked in the 300 block of Saddle Ridge Circle. That is near the King Farm Citizens Assembly Community Center Clubhouse. Anyone who has information regarding the suspect or this incident is asked to call police at 240-314-8900.

Vandals go wild with fire extinguishers inside vacant Rockville office building

Vandals broke into a vacant Rockville office building, and hosed down the interior with fire extinguishers on January 29, 2024, Rockville City police report. The two suspects forced their way into the building in the 2000 block of Gaither Road at 2:15 PM that afternoon, and damaged two doors. This may have been related to an arson incident that same day in another vacant building in the same office park. Both buildings are among several slated for demolition in a delayed redevelopment project at the property.

Police describe Suspect 1 as a Hispanic male with a medium build, wearing glasses, a black beanie, a black jacket, and black pants. Suspect 2 is described as a Hispanic male, also with a medium build, wearing a black jacket and blue jeans. Anyone who has information regarding the suspects or this incident is asked to call police at 240-314-8900.

Rockville police seek baby formula thief

A thief who fled a Rockville Safeway store clutching bags loaded down with baby formula is now being sought by Rockville City police. The suspect entered the supermarket at 403 Redland Boulevard in the King Farm Village Center around 8:23 AM on Sunday, December 17, 2023. Environmentally conscious, he allegedly filled several reusable shopping bags with baby formula, and exited the store with his haul.

Police are seeking the public's help in identifying and locating the suspect. He is described by police as a Black male, 28 to 30 years old and 6' in height, with a medium build, black hair, full beard, and a medium complexion. The suspect was wearing black New Balance pants, a blue-and-black quarter-zip Under Armour "sweater" with the hood up, and blue athletic shoes. Anyone who has information about the suspect or this incident is asked to call police at 240-314-8900.

Rockville burglar takes time to shave while inside home

A burglar broke into a Rockville house last week, and made himself at home, Rockville City police say. Officers found evidence that the burglar spent significant time inside the residence in the 100 block of King Farm Boulevard between August 25 and September 3, 2023. The suspect used a razor to shave, and left behind other items that suggested the suspect temporarily took up residence in the home. When finally departing, the well-groomed burglar stole electronics, gift cards, and even some food from the unwitting "host." If you have any information about this incident or suspect, call Rockville police at 240-314-8900.

Aggravated assault with gun in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of an aggravated assault with a gun in the King Farm area early yesterday morning, August 30, 2023. The assault was reported in the 100 block of Pasture Side Place at 12:50 AM.

New Rockville townhome community draws inspiration from adjacent historic farm

One of the last remaining vestiges of Rockville's agricultural history is inspiring a future townhome community beginning construction next door. Developer EYA has decided on Farmstead District as the branding for the new community, which will rise on the former site of King Buick GMC at 16200 Frederick Road. A logo for the development somewhat resembles rows of crops as seen from above. Promotional banners for the Farmstead District have been placed on construction fencing around the site.

One can still see original farm buildings at the public King Farm Farmstead park at 16100 Frederick Road. The King dealership has just been demolished, and the property has been annexed into the City of Rockville.

EYA is playing up the farm theme with the tagline "A fresh take on the modern neighborhood." W. Lawson King acquired the farm in 1925, local historical preservation group Peerless Rockville says. He added surrounding farmland to create the 403-acre Irvington Farm, which at one point boasted the largest population of Holstein cows in the world, Miriam Bunow wrote for Peerless. Irvington was a milk supplier for Thompson's Dairy, a household name in the D.C. area for older generations. The heritage of the site will now be shared by Farmstead District residents and their neighbors at the King Farm development.

Rockville biotech clinical advisor receives highest honor from American Society of Clinical Oncology

Dr. Hagop M. Kantarjian, a member of the Clinical Advisory Board of Rockville biotech firm Ascentage Pharma, has received the highest honor bestowed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The organization presented Kantarjian the David A. Karnofsky Memorial Award "for his lifelong contributions to leukemia clinical research and his dedication to improving the lives of patients" at its annual meeting, which is taking place through tomorrow in Chicago. Those who have received the Karnofsky award since its inception in 1970 have been oncologists who made outstanding contributions to cancer research, diagnosis, or treatment.

"Dr. Kantarjian has dedicated his life to saving and enhancing the lives of patients with leukemia, renewing hope to millions of patients with unmet medical needs," Ascentage Pharma Chairman Dajun Yang, MD, PhD said in a statement this morning. "For decades, he has been at the forefront of the oncology community's efforts to end cancer. We are privileged that Dr. Kantarjian has chosen to share his wise counsel with our organization while serving with honor and distinction on the Ascentage Pharma Clinical Advisory Board."

Ascentage Pharma was founded in 2009 in Suzhou, China. Its American office is in Three Irvington Centre, at 700 King Farm Boulevard in Rockville. 

Car stolen from apartment building parking lot in Rockville

Montgomery County police are investigating the theft of a vehicle from an apartment building parking lot in the King Farm area of Rockville early Friday evening, May 12, 2023. The vehicle was taken from a lot in the 500 block of Lawson Way. It was reported stolen at 7:30 PM Friday.

Police respond to disorder at Rockville hotel

Rockville City police officers were called to a hotel to respond to disorderly conduct at the property yesterday morning, March 24, 2023. The incident was reported at the Sheraton Rockville Hotel at 920 King Farm Boulevard at 9:10 AM Friday.

Sexual assault in King Farm area of Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of a sexual assault in the King Farm neighborhood on Tuesday morning, March 21, 2023. The incident was reported on the street in the 700 block of Redland Boulevard at 11:45 AM Tuesday.

Assault at Rockville gas station

Rockville City police responded to a report of an assault at a gas station in the King Farm area of the city Sunday afternoon. The assault was reported at a gas station in the 700 block of Gaither Road at 1:10 PM. That is the Shell station next to Dunkin' Donuts.

Car stolen in King Farm neighborhood of Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of a stolen vehicle in the King Farm community yesterday afternoon, January 25, 2023. The vehicle was parked outside of an apartment building in the 500 block of King Farm Boulevard. It is believed the car was stolen sometime between 6:00 PM Tuesday night and 3:53 PM Wednesday. If you have any information about this incident, please call the RCPD at 240-314-8900.

Car stolen in King Farm area of Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of a stolen vehicle in the King Farm community Wednesday morning, November 30, 2022. The vehicle was reported stolen from a residential parking lot in the 600 block of Elmcroft Boulevard at 4:20 AM. Items were reported stolen from a vehicle in the same parking lot, as well.

Rockville office building owner seeks height exemption for rooftop biotech equipment

Here is some good news from the King Farm area of Rockville. Instead of yet another request to convert office zoning to residential use, an office building landlord is seeking a waiver from the City of Rockville that could instead increase the number of high-wage jobs in King Farm. Banyan Street Capital has requested a height waiver for its existing office building at 805 King Farm Boulevard. It is seeking the waiver to allow additional rooftop equipment for a biotech tenant's needs, and a higher rooftop screen wall to block that equipment from view for aesthetic reasons.

In a letter to the Rockville Planning Commission, Banyan Street's attorney, Pat Harris, says that the waiver and new rooftop equipment are "vital to the Applicant’s intended research and development (“R&D”) uses within the building, and the expansion of life science uses in the greater King Farm community." She adds that the new 12' Envel-paneled rooftop screen wall will be designed to closely match the exterior skin of the office building.

Banyan Street Capital completed its acquisition of four office properties in the King Farm employment zone earlier this year. It is making upgrades and amenity enhancements at all of those properties, in what it has branded as The District at King Farm. In addition to the rooftop equipment, Banyan Street says it will be opening a new cafe in the 805 King Farm Boulevard building.

The Planning Commission will consider the waiver request at its October 26, 2022 meeting. It is likely to approve the request, as it voted to allow a similar exemption for sister building 800 King Farm Boulevard in November 2021. A potentially great opportunity for more King Farm residents to be able to walk to high-paying jobs, which was one of the original visions for the community.

Car stolen from Rockville home

Rockville City police responded to a report of a stolen vehicle in the King Farm area of Rockville yesterday morning. The vehicle was taken from the rear driveway of a townhome in the 100 block of Elmcroft Square. It is believed that the vehicle was stolen between 8:30 PM Tuesday night, and 7:15 AM Wednesday morning.

Aggravated assault with gun in King Farm area of Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of an aggravated assault involving a firearm in the King Farm neighborhood yesterday afternoon, September 2, 2022. The assault was reported in the 1600 block of Piccard Drive at 2:00 PM Friday. That is a residential street with townhomes on one side, and the Ingleside at King Farm retirement community on the other.

Car stolen from Rockville townhome

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a stolen vehicle in the King Farm neighborhood of Rockville yesterday morning. The vehicle was parked on the street outside a townhome in the 500 block of Shorthorn Way, the newest section of King Farm recently constructed off of Piccard Drive. It is believed that the vehicle was stolen sometime between 8:30 PM Wednesday night and 9:00 AM Thursday morning.