Strong-arm robbery at Rockville restaurant

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery at a restaurant in Rockville early Thursday afternoon, March 28, 2024. The robbery was reported at a restaurant in the 2200 block of Veirs Mill Road at 1:35 PM; police arrived only four minutes later. That's in the area of the Twinbrook Center.

Contents of Rockville restaurant to be auctioned off

A Rockville Chinese buffet restaurant "is shutting its doors and making a complete liquidation," according to Capital Online Auctions. The contents of Bamboo Buffet at 2010 Veirs Mill Road in the Twinbrook Center will be auctioned off online beginning Thursday, March 28, 2024. If you are a current or aspiring restaurateur, just about everything you would need will be available to the highest bidder, from kitchen equipment to buffet tables and seating. Some items, like chairs and tables, are being auctioned off in lots of 2 to 12 pieces, for example. There's even some impressive decor for display in your home or office.

Conversion of vacant Rockville office building to housing proposed

Uniwest Management Inc. is seeking to convert a vacant Rockville office building into residential housing. The company has proposed adding three additional floors to the building at 12501 Ardennes Avenue in Twinbrook, for a total of 115' in height. There would be up to 190 residential units in the modified building, as well as existing garage parking that exceeds the City's minimum space number requirement, and the addition of new landscaping and design elements to reflect the residential use. 15% of the residential units would be set aside as Moderately-Priced-Dwelling-Units.

The building was only constructed in 2009, and has a nice curved facade. Unfortunately, the General Services Administration decided not to renew its lease at the property, and it now stands vacant as a result. Uniwest says it has attempted to find new tenants, but has concluded that "there simply is not an office market in this location." It notes that suburban Maryland has the highest office vacancy rate in the region, according to a JLL study. 

Montgomery County has not attracted a single major corporate headquarters in a quarter century. A Planning Commission meeting will be scheduled to review the Revised Site Plan that Uniwest has submitted to the City. 

 Photos courtesy Uniwest

Rockville Mayor & Council to be briefed on plan to replace church with townhomes

Rockville's Mayor and Council will receive a briefing on a proposal to demolish a church in the Twinbrook area of the city, and replace it with a new townhome development, at their meeting tonight, February 12, 2024 at 7:00 PM. Developer Pulte has proposed redeveloping the church property at 5906 Halpine Road with 36 "two-over-two" townhomes. No decision will be made tonight; the briefing is for information purposes only, and to allow the Mayor and Council to comment or provide feedback and suggestions to Pulte.  

At a future date to be determined, the Mayor and Council will hold a public hearing to allow residents and other stakeholders to comment. Then they would schedule a future vote on a resolution for rezoning the property, approving the Project Plan, and authorizing the necessary waivers for a side yard setback and layback slope for the project. 

Nearby residents have raised concerns about overflow parking, and the potential reduction of the setback required. The grade of the church property has also led to worries about drainage impacts from the future townhome site. Some residents of the adjacent townhome community are concerned that the contemporary design of the new townhomes could cast shadows onto their shorter homes. Many who have contacted City staff have also advocated for leaving the trees on the church property in place. Pulte's current plan would do that, and also plant additional trees as part of the new development's landscaping.

Rockville police seeking e-bike thief

Rockville City police are seeking the public's assistance in identifying and locating a suspect in connection with the theft of an e-bike in the Twinbrook area of the city. On January 4, 2024, the suspect entered Trek Bicycle at 5750 Fishers Lane at 7:57 PM. He allegedly proceeded to remove an e-bike from the store's window display, and fled the scene. Police describe the suspect as a Black male—33 to 37 years of age, with “facial hair” and wearing all-black clothing. Anyone with information regarding the suspect or this incident is asked to call police at 240-314-8900.

Strong-arm robbery in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery in the Twinbrook area Saturday afternoon, November 25, 2023. The assault was reported in the 2100 block of Veirs Mill Road at 3:28 PM Saturday. That is in the commercial area around the Twinbrook Center.

Assault at Rockville bus stop

Rockville City police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault on Thursday night, October 19, 2023. The assault was reported at a bus stop in the 2200 block of Veirs Mill Road at 6:30 PM Thursday. That's in the vicinity of the Twinbrook Shopping Center.

Rockville purse snatcher uses key inside to steal car

A purse snatcher in Rockville managed to grab two handbags, and used the car key found inside one to add grand theft auto to their rapidly-growing rap sheet on September 15, 2023. Rockville City police say the suspect entered the rear door of a business in the 5700 block of Fishers Lane, and found purses belonging to two employees of the business on a table. Rifling through one, the suspect found a car key. The suspect used that key to steal that employee's car at 7:52 PM that evening. If you have any information about this incident or suspect, call Rockville City police at 240-314-8900.

Spirit Halloween to haunt former CVS in Rockville

After inhabiting the former Pier 1 store at Pike Center for several spooky seasons, Spirit Halloween will possess a different vacant storefront for 2023 in Rockville. The costume and prop chain has chosen the Twinbrook area this year. Spirit Halloween will be in the former CVS Pharmacy at 2210 Veirs Mill Road in the Twinbrook Center. This is the second Spirit Halloween location announced so far this year; the other will be at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg.

Crack cocaine bust in Rockville

Rockville City police arrested a 32-year-old man for alleged possession of crack cocaine in the Twinbrook area on September 3, 2023. The arrest was made in the 5700 block of Fishers Lane. In the course of their investigation, officers discovered the man also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

Strong-arm robbery in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery in the Twinbrook area last yesterday afternoon, August 3, 2023. The robbery was reported in the 2000 block of Veirs Mill Road at 5:30 PM Thursday.

Police called after assault at Rockville apartment complex

Rockville City police were called to an apartment complex in the Twinbrook area after someone reported having been the victim of a 2nd degree assault there. The assault was reported in a residential parking lot in the 13000 block of Twinbrook Parkway at 11:15 PM on July 27, 2023.

Car stolen from Rockville apartment complex

Montgomery County police are investigating the theft of a vehicle from an apartment complex in the Twinbrook area of Rockville. The vehicle was stolen from the parking lot of a complex in the 13100 block of Twinbrook Parkway. That appears to be the Halpine View apartments. It is believed the vehicle was stolen sometime between 10:00 PM on June 11 and 4:23 AM on June 12, 2023.

Aggravated assault in Rockville parking lot

Rockville City police responded to a report of an aggravated assault in the Twinbrook area of the city early yesterday morning, June 5, 2023. The assault was reported in a commercial parking lot in the 2100 block of Veirs Mill Road at 12:47 AM Monday. A weapon was employed in the assault, but it was not a gun.

Car stolen from Rockville apartment building garage

Montgomery County police are investigating the theft of a vehicle from the parking garage of an apartment building in Rockville that was reported yesterday, June 4, 2023. The vehicle was parked in a residential garage in the 1800 block of Chapman Avenue. It is believed it was stolen sometime between 11:00 AM on Saturday and 8:00 AM yesterday.

Pickpocket strikes in Rockville parking lot

Watch your wallet! Rockville City police responded to a report of a pickpocket incident in the Twinbrook area Sunday afternoon, May 28, 2023. The theft was reported in a commercial parking lot in the 2000 block of Veirs Mill Road at 5:48 PM.

Over 20 car windows smashed in theft rampage at Rockville apartment complex (Photos)

One or more thieves smashed windows on over 20 vehicles at a Rockville apartment complex early yesterday morning, April 29, 2023. Residents of Halpine View on Twinbrook Parkway say that the cars were broken into between 1:00 and 4:00 AM Saturday. The most common item stolen from the vandalized cars was the vehicle's airbag. Honda Civics were the primary target in the theft spree, which resembles a similar rampage at a Bethesda condo earlier this month.

Given that thieves are willing to break the windows even if you've locked your car, how can you keep your airbag from being stolen? Police and insurance industry experts recommend installing an anti-theft device on your steering wheel, such as The Club. Thieves who see such a device attached are likely to move on to the next car.

Auto parts theft spree in Rockville

A lot of vehicles are missing parts in the Twinbrook area of Rockville, after one or more thieves went on a theft spree there early yesterday morning. Montgomery County police responded to multiple reports from victims in the 13200 and 12900 blocks of Twinbrook Parkway, and the 12600 block of Veirs Mill Road. Most of the vehicles were parked in apartment complex lots over Monday night into Tuesday morning. One was parked at the Twinbrook Recreation Center. When it comes to auto parts theft, thieves are most often looking for airbags and catalytic converters these days.

Rockville man charged in Cricket Wireless robbery and assault (Video)

Montgomery County police have arrested and charged a suspect in the recent robbery of the Cricket Wireless store, at 2102 Veirs Mill Road in the Twinbrook Center in Rockville. Craig Donnell Johnson of Rockville, age not given, was taken into custody Wednesday in connection with the February 18, 2023 robbery and the assault of an employee. 

Detectives say that Johnson entered the store at 4:15 in the afternoon that day, approached a store employee, and asked to see a specific phone. As the employee retrieved the phone, Johnson allegedly covered his face and followed her to the back of the store. He then allegedly grabbed her in a headlock, and demanded she open the cash register. 

When Johnson noticed that the employee's daughter was coloring in a coloring book in the rear of the store, detectives say he ordered the child into the employee restroom. He allegedly took the keys to the register from the employee, and ordered her into the bathroom with her daughter. When he was unable to open the register with the keys, Johnson allegedly commanded the victim to come out of the bathroom and open it. When she complied, Johnson assaulted her, and ran out of the store with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Johnson has been charged with robbery and 2nd degree assault. His bail status was not disclosed by police. Detectives have released a portion of the surveillance camera video of the robbery and assault.

Rockville apartment burglarized

Montgomery County police are investigating the burglary of an apartment in Rockville early Thursday morning, January 19, 2023. The burglary was reported at an apartment building in the 13200 block of Twinbrook Parkway at 2:39 AM. Officers did not find evidence of forced entry at the unit in question, indicating the burglar(s) utilized an open door to enter.