Police called after assault at Rockville store

Rockville City police were called to a retail store on Rockville Pike Thursday, after an assault was reported at the business. The assault was reported at a store in the 1600 block of Rockville Pike at 5:29 PM on Thursday, April 25, 2024. An individual was also accused of shoplifting in the the incident.

Police respond to assault at Rockville grocery store

Rockville City police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at a grocery store Monday afternoon, April 22, 2024. The assault was reported at a store in the 200 block of N. Washington Street at 2:09 PM Monday. Dawson's Market is located on that block, at 225 N. Washington Street, at Rockville Town Square.

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.

Tattooed man steals women's apparel in Rockville

A tattooed man stole a "large quantity" of women's apparel from a store in Rockville, Rockville City police say. Around 6:17 PM on April 9, 2024, the adult male suspect allegedly fled a store in the 1600 block of Rockville Pike with a valuable haul of women's athletic apparel. Police describe the suspect as a White male with a thin build, 20 to 29 years of age, with a mustache and tattoos on his arms. If you have any information about this incident or the suspect, contact Rockville City police at 240-314-8900.

Police respond to assault at Rockville office building

Rockville City police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at an office building Wednesday afternoon, April 17, 2024. The assault was reported at an office in the 800 block of Rockville Pike at 3:24 PM Wednesday. 

Windows smashed on 21 vehicles on one Rockville street

Two thieves smashed the windows of 21 vehicles parked on one Rockville street on the morning of April 13, 2024, Rockville City police say. The two unidentified suspects were carrying flashlights along the 200 block of Congressional Lane at 4:20 AM Saturday. They proceeded to smash the windows on three dozen cars, and rummage through the interiors, police allege. 

Among items reported stolen from the vehicles were cash, ID cards, credit cards, and a small travel purse. No physical description of the suspects has been released. If you have any information about this incident or the two suspects, contact Rockville City police at 240-314-8900.

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.

Music-blasting mohawk man nets Walgreens shoplifting haul in Rockville

A mohawk-sporting man stole "a large quantity of merchandise" from a Walgreens drugstore "while playing loud music," Rockville City police say. The man allegedly filled two reusable shopping bags and a shopping cart at the Walgreens store at 430 Hungerford Drive before fleeing the business at 10:40 AM on April 5, 2024.

Police describe the suspect as a Black male of thin-to-medium build, approximately 25 to 35 years old, with a light complexion, a mohawk and a full beard. If you have any information about this incident or the suspect, contact Rockville City police at 240-314-8900.

Woman attacked with hammer in Rockville Town Center

A woman was assaulted by a hammer-wielding man in the Rockville Town Center area early in the morning on April 7, 2024. The victim told Rockville City police that she was visiting the 200 block of N. Washington Street, and was approached by an unknown male subject at 3:25 AM. He suddenly produced a hammer, and struck her "on the face" with it, she said. 

The suspect then fled in a black SUV. No tag number for the getaway vehicle has been released, nor has a physical description of the alleged attacker. If you have any information about this incident or the suspect, contact Rockville City police at 240-314-8900.

Thief racks up $10,000 in tolls after stealing EZ-Pass from Rockville business

A thief has taken an expensive joyride after stealing an EZ-Pass toll transponder from a business in Rockville. The business has now received a bill for about $10,000 in toll charges from highways and bridges, according to Rockville City police. They say the EZ-Pass was stolen from a business in the 200 block of N. Stonestreet Avenue way back in December 2021. The charges apparently only came to the attention of the business recently, and they reported the theft to police on April 2, 2024.

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. 

Police respond to assault at library in Rockville

Rockville City police were called to the Rockville Memorial Library at 21 Maryland Avenue on Monday, April 1, 2024, after an individual reported being the victim of a 2nd-degree assault there. The assault was reported at the library at 12:50 PM Monday. The library is located at Rockville Town Square.

Rockville school broken into over holiday weekend

Rockville City police responded to a report of a burglary early Friday afternoon at Meadow Hall Elementary School at 951 Twinbrook Parkway. The burglary was reported at 1:13 PM Friday. Officers arriving at the scene found entrance of forced entry at the school. The school was closed at the time of the burglary for the holidays.

Rockville food delivery drivers gone wild, Part II

Bad behavior by food delivery drivers in Rockville has landed them back on the radar of Rockville's finest again. Rockville City police were called to a restaurant on Maryland Avenue at Rockville Town Square at 8:04 PM on March 20, 2024, after a driver began behaving erratically while picking up an order. 

A female restaurant employee told officers that the driver approached her from behind, and "hovered" there. The driver then "aggressively" grabbed the bagged order from the employee, knocking her off-balance. 

Police have not released a physical description of the driver, whose identity they say remains unknown at this time. No word if the driver asked the "inappropriate question," however.

Assault at Rockville bus stop

Rockville City police are investigating a 2nd-degree assault at a bus stop in the Rockville Town Center area, which was reported early Monday afternoon, March 25, 2024. The assault was reported at a bus stop in the 300 block of N. Washington Street at 12:14 PM Monday. That's in the vicinity of the Montgomery County Government-operated liquor store.

Strong-arm robbery near Rockville Metro station

Rockville City police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery in an industrial area near the Rockville Metro station late Wednesday afternoon, March 20, 2024. The robbery was reported in the 100 block of N. Stonestreet Avenue at 5:38 PM. It occurred along the street on a busy block with many repair shops.

Rockville apartment residents brawl with food delivery driver after "inappropriate question"

A food delivery app driver provoked a fight in the lobby of a customer's Rockville apartment building by asking the customer an "inappropriate question," Rockville City police say. The customer and another resident of the building in the 200 block of Congressional Lane then confronted the driver. Police were called after a physical brawl among the three ensued in the lobby of the building. The fight occurred at 10:45 PM on March 9, 2024.

Rockville man shot twice on St. Patrick's Day

A Rockville man suffered two non-life-threatening gunshot wounds in a St. Patrick's Day shooting on Rockville Pike. Rockville City police responded to a 911 call about the shooting in the 1000 block of Rockville Pike at 4:00 AM Sunday. Officers arriving at the scene found the victim suffering from the wounds at the Woodmont Park Apartments. He was transported to a local hospital, where police say he was later declared to be in stable condition. 

Detectives have not yet stated whether they know the identity of the suspected shooter. But they have said that they have reason to believe there is no threat posed to the general public in relation to this incident. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Cpl. Andreas Floros at 240-314-8959, or via email at AFloros@RockvilleMD.Gov. Tipsters may choose to remain anonymous.

Assault at Rockville grocery store

Rockville City police were called to a grocery store after someone reported having been the victim of a 2nd-degree assault there. The assault was reported at a store in the 200 block of N. Washington Street on March 15, 2024 at 11:22 AM. Dawson's Market at Rockville Town Square is located on that block. 

Rockville residents asking Mayor & Council to boost funding for police as Montgomery County retreats

A downward spiral that began when the Montgomery County Council made a modest effort to "defund the police" in 2021 by cutting 30 positions picked up speed on November 1, 2023, when the Montgomery County Police Department announced it would no longer respond to 911 calls in the municipalities of Rockville and Gaithersburg, unless their respective City police departments had no units available or needed backup assistance. The pull-out was due to a shortage of officers, which is forecast to grow to 239 vacancies by July 2025. Montgomery County currently has 176 police officer vacancies, as former County Council staff member Adam Pagnucco reported last fall. Rockville residents concerned about the greater responsibility now being shouldered by its municipal police officers plan to press the Mayor and Council to boost funding for the Rockville City Police Department outside of City Hall tonight, March 18, 2024 at 6:45 PM.

Residents want to "let the City Council know that public safety, funding and support for the Rockville Police Department is important, especially given the increasing crime throughout Rockville and the County, as a whole," rally organizer Brigitta Mullican said in a press release about tonight's effort. The Mayor and Council will be holding a hearing on the city's FY-2025 budget during their meeting tonight. 

Last month, Rockville City Police Chief Victor Brito told the Mayor and Council that his department is now handling 88% of emergency calls within the city limits. That's up from 71% in 2018. Mullican said that she will be testifying during tonight's public hearing for an increase in police funding and salaries. 

Recruitment has become a challenge nationwide, as officers in many jurisdictions where elected officials have disparaged or criticized police - including Montgomery County - have either retired early, or moved to other departments around the region or country that are perceived as being more supportive of police officers. The competition for the reduced number of people choosing to enter the law enforcement field has become intense as a result. Rockville must remain competitive with officer salaries and benefits to attract enough officers to handle its increased responsibilities.

Brito's presentation last month showed the impact of the City's greater call load - exacerbated by a persistent crime wave in the County since 2020 - on officer response time. He noted the national statistics that indicate that for every additional 1000 emergency calls, another 9 minutes are added to response time, on average. 

Participants in tonight's rally outside City Hall, located at 111 Maryland Avenue, are asked to bring signs showing support for Rockville City police. A group photo will be taken to show the size of support from residents for City officers.