Police scuffle with suspicious man outside of Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville

Montgomery County police, on heightened alert after an antisemitic firebombing attack in Boulder, Colorado two weeks ago, observed a man circling the parking lot at Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville at 2:54 PM on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Officers noticed the man's vehicle did not have a student pickup pass displayed. The officers, who were off-duty and assigned to security at the school, directed the driver to exit the parking lot. However, the man then drove back into the lot.

According to police, the officers ordered the man to stop. The man allegedly ignored the officers, and drove through cones into the student pickup line, toward oncoming cars. He then stopped the vehicle, but refused to get out of the car when ordered to by the officers. The man declined to answer questions about his identity, or what his purpose was in being on school property. 

Officers then attempted to forcibly remove him from the vehicle. He allegedly resisted, and then became combative. Officers struggled to subdue him, and noticed a pocket knife fall out of the man's clothing. After a brief scuffle, in which two officers suffered minor injuries, they arrested the man.

Joseph Amr Khairy Abdalla, 38, of Germantown has been charged with multiple counts of assault, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. He is being held without bond at the County jail. Yesterday, the court called for Abdalla to undergo a Maryland Department of Health inpatient competency examination. This is typically ordered to determine if a defendant is competent to stand trial. A trial has been scheduled for July 29, 2025 in Montgomery County District Court in Rockville.

Police say that at this stage of the investigation, they have not yet found evidence that Abdalla intended to harm anyone at the school, but did not elaborate on the findings that led to that conclusion. Montgomery County Police Chief Marc Yamada praised his officers for their vigilance and quick action at the school on Thursday. “The actions of these officers shows our heightened efforts to protect our community and the courage of officers to take decisive action for the safety of all,” Yamada said in a statement.

New 6th District Montgomery County police station officially opens in Gaithersburg

Montgomery County officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to formally open the new 6th District County police station in Gaithersburg this week. County Executive Marc Elrich and County Council President Kate Stewart were among the dignitaries to christen the new station, which is located at 222 Paramount Park Drive in the Watkins Mill Town Center area. 

Developers never delivered the promised movie theater, upscale restaurant, or even the actual "town center" of Watkins Mill Town Center, but did rake in all the profits from the residential housing portion of the development. Heckuva job, Brownie! New residents did get a Royal Farms gas station, a Starbucks, and now the police station, however. They'll likely welcome the latter, given the ongoing crime wave that has bedeviled the county since the summer of 2020.

“The new 6th District Police Station is an important project for the County that will strengthen critical emergency services to our residents in an area that has seen tremendous growth,” Elrich said in a statement this morning. “The Gaithersburg area has seen a great deal of development over the years, and as the community changes, the demand changes. We recognized the importance of adapting to the needs of a growing community, and this station is a testament to our ability to meet those needs. The new station will help to improve the safety and security of residents and businesses and address our current and future needs for the decades to come.” 

Almost 200 department staff and volunteers may be on-site at any given time. The station will serve as the base for investigative units, as well as the Central Traffic Unit, which was established in July 2021. It also features a public space "designed to foster engagement, collaboration and dialogue within the community." 

Police called after assault at 7-Eleven in Rockville

Damage to 7-Eleven front door
allegedly caused by assailant

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an assault at the 7-Eleven store at 11530-G Rockville Pike on Thursday, May 1, 2025. The alleged assailant entered the store shortly before 2:00 PM that afternoon, and was confronted by employees, who accused him of shoplifting. In response, he threw unspecified items at the employees, kicked and cracked a glass panel in the store's front door, and fled. An officer responding to the assault call forwarded a photo of the suspect to other officers in the White Flint area.

The suspect was seen walking near the 7-Eleven by police around 3:01 PM. Officers followed the suspect to the nearby White Flint Metro station. When they informed the suspect he was under arrest, he attempted to run away. Following a brief foot chase, the suspect was arrested. Asked to identify himself, he allegedly provided a false name. A search of his person led officers to conclude he was in possession of clothing stolen from H&M and GAP at the nearby Pike & Rose development. Security at both stores confirmed that Shall had been in their stores earlier that day.

Ceolus Shall, 32, of no fixed address, was charged with theft of less than $100, malicious destruction of property, obstructing and hindering an investigation, and failure to truthfully identify. However, he was quickly released on a $100 unsecured personal bond. A woman was assaulted at the same 7-Eleven store 16 days earlier.

Photo courtesy Montgomery County Police Department

Masked men prowling Derwood at night

Masked men are reportedly prowling residential neighborhoods in Derwood at night, seeking to steal valuables from cars, or the cars themselves. Montgomery County police were called after at least one vehicle was broken into on Grande Vista Drive at 12:39 AM Sunday morning, April 27, 2025. According to police radio communications, several men were spotted wearing hoodies and masks at a nearby intersection in the neighborhood around that time. Police were called nearly two hours earlier about an auto theft incident in the nearby 7600 block of Moccasin Lane.

If you have any information about the masked men, or about these or other related incidents of theft in the Derwood/Rockville area, contact police at (301) 279-8000. Remember to lock your vehicle, remove all visible items from the interior, and do not leave your keys in the glove compartment or ignition. 

Police investigate assault at park in Rockville

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an assault at a park in Rockville late Wednesday afternoon, February 12, 2025. The assault was reported at a park in the 5000 block of Baltic Avenue at 5:00 PM Wednesday. Aspen Hill Local Park is located on that block at 5013 Baltic Avenue.

Police increase visibility at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda after robbery wave

Police were more visible at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda this past weekend, following a string of robberies at the popular retail center. In one instance, as seen above in the Dining Terrace food court, a uniformed police officer joined a mall security guard making the rounds of the property. Montgomery County police recently responded to three robberies in a nine-day period at the mall, on January 26 and 27, and on February 4. In the January 27 robbery, the victim was a business inside the mall.

Last year, assaults - not robberies - were the primary type of violent crime taking place at the mall. Eleven assaults were reported at the mall in 2024, up from five in 2023. The last assault was on November 12, 2024. A new leadership team was brought into the mall by parent company Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield ten days later. No assaults have been reported at Montgomery Mall so far in 2025. 

There's no question that a visible police presence can not only deter criminals, but also make mall patrons feel safer. A sense of lawlessness, such as thieves being permitted to escape with large armfuls or bags of merchandise, only attracts more serious criminals as word spreads of easy pickings. TV news reports of New York City Police Department officers on subway platforms and trains, as that city's mayor announced that at least two officers would patrol each train during overnight hours, would give passengers a high degree of confidence in riding the MTA system. 

The newly-deployed NYPD officers are in addition to the existing ones patrolling MTA stations and platforms. Meanwhile, back in Maryland, the Montgomery County Council has defunded the police since 2020. Heckuva job, Brownie!

2 robberies in 24 hours at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police were busy at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda as the last week in January began. Officers responded to two robberies in 24 hours at the popular retail center at 7101 Democracy Boulevard. A strong-arm robbery was reported at the mall on Sunday, January 26, at 6:30 PM. Less than 24 hours later, on Monday, January 27, a second robbery was called in at 12:40 PM. A business at the mall was the victim in that robbery. The tenant has not yet been identified. An unspecified weapon was implied or employed in the second robbery, but it was not a gun.

Montgomery Mall had nearly made it to the end of the first month of 2025 without a violent crime taking place there. Eleven assaults were reported at the mall in 2024, up from five in 2023. The last assault was on November 12, 2024. A new leadership team was brought into the mall by parent company Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield ten days later. The peak holiday shopping period from Black Friday through Christmas then passed uneventfully, in terms of crime. Only the typical shoplifting calls expected at any mall during the holiday season were reported during that time. January had likewise been violent-crime-free, until this past Sunday.

Man charged in Rockville double homicide

Montgomery County police have arrested a man in connection with a double homicide that took place in the early morning hours of Friday, January 17, 2025 in Rockville. The shocking incident first came to the attention of law enforcement when a County police officer was driving along Shady Grove Road at 3:16 AM, and noticed a vehicle stopped in the intersection with Research Boulevard. Inside the white BMW, the officer found Marcell Jordan Hebron, 26, of Rockville. The officer determined that Hebron was deceased. Bullet holes were visible in the windshield of the BMW.

About four hours later, at 7:40 AM, Rockville City police received a call from a nearby parking lot at 2 Research Court. The caller advised there was a dead body in the parking lot. Rockville officers arrived at the scene to find Leilani Marroquin, 27, of Rockville. Marroquin was also deceased. Officers noted she had suffered gunshot wounds, and recovered shell casings in the immediate vicinity.

Montgomery County police detectives investigating both deaths determined they were homicides. They identified Kaloyan Dimov Stoev, 25, of no fixed address, as the suspect in both homicides. By noon on Friday, detectives had located Stoev at an unspecified location in Rockville, and placed him under arrest. Stoev was transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, and additional handgun related charges. He is being held without bond. A GoFundMe fundraiser has been established to pay funeral expenses for the victims and their families.

Montgomery County police to stage sobriety checkpoint tonight, December 13

If you drive while intoxicated tonight, Friday the 13th may truly be your unlucky day. Montgomery County police will conduct a sobriety checkpoint somewhere in the county tonight, December 13, 2024, beginning around 10:00 PM. The exact location is not being disclosed by the police department for obvious reasons, but you could anticipate it will be on a major road. Drunk-and-drugged driving and crash statistics are employed in choosing the site of the checkpoint. Any driver showing signs of intoxication will be ordered to pull over for further testing. 

Police called after assault at recreation center in Rockville

Montgomery County police were called to a recreation center in Rockville Monday afternoon, December 9, 2024, after someone reported having been assaulted there. The assault was reported at a recreation center in the 14600 block of Bauer Drive at 4:11 PM Monday. Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center is located on that block.

Police investigate assault at busy Rockville intersection

Montgomery County police are investigating an aggravated assault that took place at one of the busiest intersections in Rockville on November 12, 2024. At 10:39 PM that evening, police say, four suspects assaulted an adult male victim at the intersection of Frederick Road (MD 355) and E. Gude Drive. The suspects are described only as three Black males of unknown age, and one Black female of unknown age. If you have any information about this incident, or can identify any of the suspects involved, call police at (301) 279-8000. 

Woman assaulted, robbed in Shady Grove Professional Park

A woman was the victim of three robbers at Shady Grove Professional Park in the early morning hours of November 2, 2024, Montgomery County police report. The woman was in the commercial townhome development in the 9000 block of Shady Grove Court on the border of Gaithersburg and Rockville when she was approached by three suspects. They allegedly assaulted her, and stole money and unspecified property from her. Police describe the suspects only as a Black male, and two Black females. If you can identify any of these suspects, or have any information about this incident, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Armed fentanyl pusher busted in Rockville

Evidence seized in Friday's bust in Rockville

Fentanyl deaths in America are reportedly declining, but the dangerous synthetic opioid is still being pushed on the streets of Montgomery County. Thanks to Montgomery County police officers, a substantial number of pills have just been taken off the market. Officers searching for a juvenile male wanted for multiple offenses in the Twinbrook area of Rockville found him on Friday, November 8, 2024. The juvenile attempted to elude officers on foot, 4th District Commander Captain David Smith said, but he was ultimately caught and taken into custody.

On his person, police allege, the juvenile had a loaded gun, cash, and about 250 pressed fentanyl pills.  "The apprehension of armed individuals like this is difficult and dangerous work, but also important work," Smith said in a statement. "Fentanyl destroys lives and families, and the officers of 4D are committed to improving conditions. We also appreciate all of the members of our community who care and are equally committed to this cause."

Photo courtesy Montgomery County Police Department

Police investigate embezzlement at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of embezzlement at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda Saturday afternoon, September 14, 2024. The embezzlement was reported at the mall at 1:00 PM Saturday. Which mall tenant or office the funds were allegedly embezzled from has not yet been identified.

Hit and miss night for busy Rockville burglars

One or more burglars experienced the thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat, in Rockville over the night between August 12 and August 13, 2024. Montgomery County police responded to a burglary at P&C Complete Car Service at 12516 Parklawn Drive on August 13. Officers arriving at the scene found evidence of forced entry, and cash had been stolen from the auto repair shop. Police believe the burglary occurred between 4:00 PM on August 12 and 7:50 AM on August 13.

Officers also responded to a burglary call at Plaza Carpet on the same block of Parklawn on the 13th. There they found the burglar(s) had been unsuccessful at gaining entry to the business. No suspect descriptions have been released as of this writing. If you have any information about these incidents, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Auto parts stolen at several Rockville apartment complexes

One or more auto parts thieves hit several parking lots outside Rockville apartment complexes over the night between August 20 and 21, 2024. The properties impacted were all in the vicinity of Randolph Road. Parts were stolen from vehicles parked at the Village Square West and Lerner Oxford Square apartments, and at the Bethesda Park condominiums. Thieves are typically looking for airbags and catalytic converters. Police recommend installing a steering wheel device like The Club to discourage the former, and having your catalytic converter etched to ward off the latter.

Montgomery County police officer found guilty in January 6 case

A Montgomery County police officer was found guilty today by a U.S. Circuit Court judge in Washington, D.C. of charges stemming from the violence at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Officer Justin Lee, 25, of Rockville, was found guilty of two felony offenses: assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers and civil disorder. Judge Trevor N. McFadden also found Lee guilty of the misdemeanor offenses of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building. Lee will be sentenced by Judge McFadden on November 22, 2024.

The Montgomery County Police Department issued a statement today in which it said that Lee was not yet employed by the County police force on January 6, 2021. It stated Lee's actions at the Capitol did not come to light through its standard background investigation when Lee was hired. Lee was relieved of his police powers while the case went to trial. The MCPD stated that Lee's employment by the department will now be terminated following today's guilty verdict. 

Lee was identified in 2023 by law enforcement officials who were reviewing video footage from the Capitol on January 6, 2021 after they first noticed his Maryland flag gaiter. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia specifically accused Lee of throwing two objects at officers who were trying to prevent people from entering the Capitol. One incendiary device produced a smoke cloud. Lee was also accused of pointing a flashlight beam at officers. 

Self-storage unit broken into in Rockville

Montgomery County police are investigating a burglary incident at Extra Space Storage at 11850 Parklawn Drive in Rockville. Police are not sure when the burglary occurred, but the crime was discovered at noon on July 14, 2024. Officers responding to the scene found evidence of forced entry to one of the storage units at the facility. Unspecified property was stolen from inside the unit.

If you have any information about this incident, or can identify any suspects involved, you are asked to call police at (301) 279-8000.

Suspect detained in Rockville armed robbery

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery in Rockville Wednesday night, July 17, 2024. The robbery was reported in the 12500 block of Village Square Terrace at 9:50 PM Wednesday. @DCNewsLive on Twitter reported that a vehicle was later pulled over by police on Old Georgetown Road at the interchange with I-495 in Bethesda. At least one person in that vehicle was detained in relation to the armed robbery.

Armed robbery in Rockville

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery in Rockville this past Saturday, July 13, 2024. The robbery was reported in the 2600 block of Research Boulevard at 9:58 PM Saturday. It took place in a commercial parking lot near the intersection with Shady Grove Road.