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.

Chocolate Moonshine relocating at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

There have been rumors among employees in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall recently that a chocolate shop would be filling the vacant 7-Eleven space. But signage just installed over the storefront indicates it's existing tenant Chocolate Moonshine that will be replacing the short-lived convenience store. Chocolate Moonshine abruptly closed in its current spot earlier this month, but now it turns out it won't be leaving the mall after all. 

Chocolate Moonshine's existing location, as
seen closed during business hours on April 7

This isn't the first time Chocolate Moonshine has closed for a spell at the mall without explanation. But it's managed to survive longer than many other tenants; in fact, it is nearing a decade in business here, a major accomplishment in business-hostile Montgomery County. The gluten-free, organic chocolatier first opened at Montgomery Mall in October 2016.

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.

Mango opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Mango has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Barcelona-based fashion brand launched this latest Mediterranean-inspired store concept in 2021. But the company, which manufacturers apparel for men and women, was founded in 1984 by brothers Isak Andic and Nahman Andic. Look for Mango's 11th American store on Level 1 of the mall, across from Shoe Charms.

"Go, go Gadget coat!"

Teso Life Japanese Super Store "coming soon" to Rockville

Teso Life, the "Japanese Super Store," is "coming soon" to Rockville, according to signage posted at its future storefront at 1701 Rockville Pike. The chain features a variety of imported Japanese goods, including groceries, toys and collectibles, housewares, beauty and health products, and kitchenware. If this sounds familiar, it's likely because Teso Life's similarly-named competitor, Ebisu Life, already opened a store on Rockville Pike two years ago. 

The addition of Teso Life bolsters a new era for the Shops at Congressional Village, which is shifting to align itself with the booming Asian business sector in Rockville. As Rockville finds itself vying to be the ultimate destination for Asian cuisine in the Washington, D.C. area, the retail property has leased several spaces to new Asian restaurants. When it opens, look for Teso Life next to 7-Eleven.

Talbots closing at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Talbots is closing at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Large signs announcing the pending closure were posted in the now-empty display windows of the store Thursday evening. Talbots opened here in June 2014, a refugee from White Flint Mall. The women's apparel chain's Village of Cross Keys location near Baltimore closed January 6, 2024. That store was much older than the Bethesda Talbots, opening there in 1996, and had existed even before then at a previous location.

Yet another assault reported at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

The hits just keep on coming at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Another assault was reported at the mall property on Sunday night, April 14, 2024 at 8:14 PM. This is the second assault reported at the retail center this month, and the sixth of 2024. There were only five assaults reported at the mall in all of 2023.

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.

Montgomery Mall 2024 assault numbers have already equaled total for all of 2023

The latest assault reported at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda brings the total number of assaults this year to five. That's the same number of assaults that were reported over the entire year of 2023 at the busy retail center. Montgomery County police responded to the latest incident at 3:10 PM on April 6, 2024, when an individual was allegedly the victim of a 2nd-degree assault. Should assaults continue to be reported at this pace, the 2024 number could be at least 15 assaults, which would exceed the record of 12 assaults set by the mall in 2022.

Walnut Hill Shopping Center seeks Sheetz-related parking waivers from Gaithersburg

Walnut Hill Shopping Center is seeking approval of changes to its parking lot, and waivers for smaller drive aisles in several spots around the lot, from the City of Gaithersburg. The retail property was recently annexed into the City, and is making many improvements and alterations to successfully bring add an Aldi grocery store and Sheetz convenience store to its tenant roster. Because the future Sheetz will take up a portion of the existing surface parking lot, a reconfiguration of the rest of the parking spaces on the lot is necessary. Walnut Hill is arguing that maintaining a sufficient number of spaces will require waivers to allow several drive aisles to be narrower than allowed under City code.

The drive aisles proposed in several locations around the parking lot would be 20 to 24 feet in width. City of Gaithersburg code requires drive aisles with two-way traffic to be 26' in width. The Gaithersburg Planning Commission will take up the waiver request at its meeting tonight, April 3, 2024, at 7:30 PM. City staff are recommending approval of the waiver request, and have advised that the other proposed changes - which involve adding green space to the parking lot (shown in green on the map below) - be addressed when the site plan for the Sheetz is submitted for approval at a later date.

Armed robbery at Derwood gas station

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery at a gas station in Derwood early Monday night, April 1, 2024. The robbery was reported at a gas station in the 15800 block of Frederick Road, across from the King Farm neighborhood of Rockville, at 6:21 PM Monday. A firearm was the weapon used in the robbery.

Another assault at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to the third assault reported in a month at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda this past Friday night, March 29, 2024. A 2nd-degree assault was reported at the popular retail center at 8:30 PM Friday. Two other March assaults were reported at the mall, on March 1, and March 21.

The violent crime pace at the mall continues to increase in 2024, with four assaults in the first three months of the year. Only five assaults were reported in all of 2023 at the mall, which was a great improvement over the twelve that took place on the mall property in 2022. An armed robbery was also reported at the mall on March 25.

Paul Wharton, Ashley Darby to host spring fashion show at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

TV stars Paul Wharton and Ashley Boalch Darby will co-host a cherry blossom-inspired spring fashion show at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda next week. "Spring Fever" will be held on Level 1 in the Nordstrom wing of the mall next Friday, April 5, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The fashion show will feature spring ensembles from Macy's, J.Crew, Nordstrom, Under Armour, White House | Black Market, Madewell, Free People, Lilly Pulitzer, Vineyard Vines, and bespoke artist Maggie O'Neill.

Discounts and free-gifts-with-purchases will be offered from stores and boutiques at the mall. Entertainment will include a mobile photo booth and music by DJ OZ. Cherry blossom decor from woman-owned design atelier Brightly Ever After will bloom throughout the mall. Westfield Montgomery Mall is also launching a month-long clothing drive benefitting Montgomery County non-profit Interfaith Works. A donation of your gently used clothing will give you the chance to win exclusive discounts, gifts, and treats from participating retailers.

You can RSVP for the fashion show now online. The event is free.

Assault at Target in Rockville

Montgomery County police were called to the Target store at 5700 Bou Avenue on Sunday afternoon, March 24, 2024, after a 2nd-degree assault was reported there. The assault was reported at the store at 2:44 PM Sunday. At least one person was also accused of shoplifting in the incident.

Armed robbery reported at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda late Monday afternoon. The robbery was reported at the mall at 5:04 PM Monday. A knife was the weapon employed in the robbery.

Assault at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda yesterday afternoon, March 21, 2024. The assault was reported at the mall at 3:06 PM Thursday. This is the third assault committed at the mall this year. Like the first two in 2024, yesterday's assault was related to a shoplifting incident at a store in the mall. 

The mall is currently on a pace to equal the number of assaults reported at the popular retail center in 2022, which was 12. That would be more than double the total assault reports at the mall last year, when only 5 such incidents were reported. Last year's drop in violent crime at the property came after Montgomery County police established a "resource room" inside the mall.

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. 

Do you recognize this Derwood burglary suspect?

Montgomery County police are seeking the public's help in identifying and locating a suspect in a burglary rampage across commercial properties in Derwood and Montgomery Village earlier this month. The suspect is accused of attempting to burglarize an ATM at the Bank of America in the 17500 block of Redland Road by smashing it with a rock at 10:58 PM on Sunday, March 3, 2024; forcing his way into and stealing cash from Spice Lanka on the same block moments later; and then trying and failing to force entry into Derwood Beer & Wine in the 17600 block of Redland Road. 

On Wednesday, March 6, police say the same suspect tried his luck in Montgomery Village, breaking into Vida Hair Salon at 19122 Montgomery Village Avenue at 11:02 PM. He allegedly took cash from the cash register and fled. A few hours later, at 3:21 AM on March 7, the suspect allegedly broke into Dollar Tree, Moe's Southwest Grill, Ledo Pizza and The Joint - all at the Montgomery Village Center. He is accused of stealing money from Moe's. The suspect then broke into the Metro by T-Mobile store at 9989 Stedwick Road in Montgomery Village.

Detectives are working with all of the business owners who were affected to determine if any other property or cash was stolen from their spaces. Police describe the suspect as an adult Black male, approximately 5-feet, 10-inches in height, with a slim build. He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. Detectives have released a photo of the suspect, shown above.

Anyone with information regarding this suspect or these crimes is asked to visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, MD website at www.crimesolversmcmd.org, and click on the “www.p3tips.com” link at the top of the page, or call 1-866-411-8477.  Tips with information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward from $250 up to $10,000. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Montgomery County's first Wawa opens in Gaithersburg (Photos)

The first Wawa convenience store and mega gas station celebrated its Grand Opening yesterday, March 7, 2024 at 405 S. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg. Many of the price promotions for the opening remain in effect through Sunday, as you will see in some of the photos below. The gleaming interior holds, if not every snack you can imagine, every snack you need. 

Located directly across MD 355 from Gaithersburg High School, Wawa has posted a prohibition on having more than two minors inside the store at any time. Backpacks are also prohibited beyond the vestibule of the store. It will be interesting to compare gas prices at this Wawa with competitors Sheetz and Royal Farms up the road in the coming months.

IKEA sets opening date for first Montgomery County store

IKEA has set an opening date for its first Montgomery County store, a small-format Plan & Order Point store at 101 Boardwalk Place at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. The store will open on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 11:00 AM. A grand opening celebration will be held from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. There will be giveaways, free food (Swedish meatballs?), and free drinks. Attendees will also be able to compete for prizes in the Spin to Win game. See my sneak peek at the Plan & Order Point interior for an idea of what is in store at Montgomery County's first IKEA store.

"We are thrilled to bring the best of IKEA to our DMV neighbors," IKEA U.S. CEO & Chief Sustainability Officer Javier Quiñones said in a statement. "We’ve seen that customers are still eager for in-person experiences, and we hope that this new Plan and order point with Pick-up provides a new and convenient way to shop."