Montgomery Mall implementing stiff 3 PM curfew for minors

Those who claim crime is not a problem at the few remaining malls in Montgomery County were dealt a blow of reality today, as Westfield announced it will implement a restrictive 3:00 PM curfew for unaccompanied minors at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda and Wheaton Plaza starting September 28. Once in effect, the new policy will require any mall patron under 18 to be accompanied by a parent or supervising adult after 3:00 PM, seven days a week. Those not in compliance will be escorted from the premises by security or Montgomery County police. Supervising adults may be asked for identification with a valid I.D.

Westfield says the hours and specifics of the new policy can be changed at any time, and that it may adjust the hours of enforcement during the holiday shopping season. It also says that supervising adults will be held responsible for the behavior and actions of the juveniles under their supervision, suggesting legal liability potential for the type of assaults and shoplifting incidents that have been taking place at the property in recent years.

This curfew sadly punishes the majority of minors who lawfully engage in the All-American tradition of hanging out at the mall. It will certainly cost mall tenants financially. That dovetails with another disappointing trend: Massive international corporations like Westfield and Giant parent Ahold declining to publicly condemn pro-criminal elected officials, and put their considerable financial resources toward electing alternative leaders, and instead implementing policies that punish all customers, such as locking up items or crippling self-checkouts. Montgomery County and Maryland's weak juvenile crime policies - and weak willed business responses - seem to put criminals in charge of our community, rather than holding them accountable. The new curfew policy was first reported by The MoCo Show.

Suspect arrested in shooting death in Rockville

Montgomery County police have captured the man they say fatally shot a Gaithersburg man at Potomac Woods Plaza at 1087 Seven Locks Road early Sunday morning. County police officers assigned to the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force caught up with Shayan Solimani Damabi, 21, of Gaithersburg at an unidentified motel in that city. Police say he was taken into custody without incident.

Homicide detectives used surveillance footage from the shopping center to identify Solimani Damabi as the alleged shooter. He has been charged with first-degree murder, and the use of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime. Solimani Damabi is being held at the County jail pending a bond hearing.

Do you recognize this suspect in Rockville homicide?

Montgomery County police have identified a suspect in Sunday morning's fatal shooting at the Potomac Woods Plaza shopping center. Shayan Solimani Damabi, 21, of Gaithersburg is the man who killed 33-year-old Nicholas Njuki of Gaithersburg, homicide detectives allege. They believe he may still be driving a red 2018 four-door Acura TLX with Maryland license plate 3GD6732.

Police describe Solimani Damabi as being 6-feet, 2-inches tall and weighing approximately 205 pounds. His whereabouts are currently unknown.

Anyone with information regarding this homicide or the location of Shayan Solimani Damabi is asked to visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County website at www.crimesolversmcmd.org and click on the “P3 Tips” link at the top of the page or call 1-866-411-8477. Tips may remain anonymous. Information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward ranging from $250 to $10,000.

Pedestrian struck in Gaithersburg

Montgomery County first responders were dispatched to the scene of a collision in Gaithersburg involving a pedestrian early this morning. The collision took place in the southbound lanes of N. Frederick Avenue (MD 355) at its intersection with Christopher Avenue at 3:40 AM. Montgomery County police officers arriving at the scene found an adult male pedestrian suffering from unspecified injuries. His condition was not provided in the initial report from the police department. 

According to police, the driver who struck the pedestrian remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation. All southbound lanes of MD 355 are currently closed between Watkins Mill Road and Christopher Avenue. 

Police identify victim in Potomac Woods Plaza shooting death

Montgomery County police have identified the victim in the fatal shooting at Potomac Woods Plaza at 1087 Seven Locks Road early Sunday morning, September 13, 2026. Homicide detectives have also released more details about the incident. According to police, the victim, Nicholas Njuki, 33, of Gaithersburg, had a "confrontation" with the unknown male suspect inside Quincy's Potomac Bar & Grille earlier. Following the confrontation, Njuki left the restaurant with a companion, with whom he got into a vehicle. While attempting to leave the shopping center, their vehicle encountered another vehicle driven by the suspect.

Police did not describe what precisely happened next, but said Njuki ultimately exited the vehicle at 2:02 AM, at which time the suspect shot Njuki once from inside his own vehicle. The suspect then allegedly fired a shot at Njuki's companion, who had remained inside their vehicle. His companion then drove away from the scene and called 911. The suspect fled the scene in his own vehicle.

Interestingly, a description of the suspect has not yet been released. But police are asking anyone with information about this homicide to visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County website at www.crimesolversmcmd.org, and click on the “P3 Tips” link at the top of the page, or call 1-866-411-8477. Tipsters may remain anonymous. Information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward ranging from $250 to $10,000.

Police respond to 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. The assault took place at 3:18 PM Monday. This was the seventh known assault reported at the busy retail center so far this year. It has been relatively quiet on that front since the last assault on June 28, and County police have maintained a more visible presence at the mall this summer. Twelve assaults were reported at the property in 2025.

Fatal shooting at Potomac Woods Plaza in Rockville

Montgomery County homicide detectives are investigating a fatal shooting that took place early yesterday morning at Potomac Woods Plaza at 1087 Seven Locks Road. The shooting was reported outside of Quincy's Potomac Bar & Grille, which was hosting a viewing of a UFC fighting event late Saturday night, at 2:02 AM Sunday. County and Rockville City police officers and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service personnel arriving at the scene found an adult male victim suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Despite lifesaving efforts by first responders, the victim tragically passed away at the scene. 

The shooter(s) remain at large this morning. Police have not yet released any suspect descriptions in the case. However, its press release regarding the shooting did not solicit the public's help in identifying or locating suspects.

Police called after assault at grocery store in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at a grocery store this past Saturday afternoon, August 29, 2026. The assault was reported at a store in the 200 block of N. Washington Street in Rockville Town Center at 3:01 PM Saturday. That is the new Trader Joe's store at The Square at Rockville.

Lion statues stolen in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of theft in the Lincoln Park neighborhood on August 18, 2026. The theft was reported in the 200 block of Frederick Avenue. According to police, two lion statues were stolen from a home sometime prior to July 29. The statues stood by the driveway of the residence. If you have any information about the whereabouts of these statues, contact police at 240-314-8900.

Porch pirate steals child's bike in Rockville

A porch pirate hijacked a child-size set of wheels in the College Gardens neighborhood of Rockville on August 12, 2026. According to Rockville City police, an 18-inch blue Huffy bicycle was stolen from the front porch of a home in the 1700 block of Yale Place at 7:00 PM. Police did not specify if it was a boy's or girl's Huffy model. If you have any information or doorbell video from this incident, call police at 240-314-8900.

Police release description of King Farm assailant in Rockville

Rockville City police have released a description of the alleged assailant in the August 13 assault near King Farm Park. The suspect approached and assaulted the victim "between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM" in the 400 block of Deer Meadow Lane. Police describe the suspect as White male in his 50s or 60s, with gray and black hair and a beard. He was wearing a grey shirt and skinny blue jeans. If you have any information about this incident, call police at 240-314-8900.

Female pedestrian dies after being struck by driver in Rockville

A woman and child were struck by a driver while crossing a street in Rockville Monday night, August 17, 2026, and the woman tragically passed away at a local hospital later in the evening. Montgomery County police report that the child is suffering from non-life-threatening injuries, and is expected to survive. Police did not specify the precise location of the collision, saying it took place "near Chapman Avenue and Twinbrook Parkway." @TheDMVLive on Twitter cited the location as the intersection of Rockville Pike and Twinbrook Parkway.

Rockville City police and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service personnel were dispatched to the scene at 8:25 PM. The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the police investigation. @TheDMVLive reported that the striking vehicle veered off the road after the collision. The white vehicle, with Florida tags, could be seen resting among grass and bushes in video he posted.

Assault near King Farm Park in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault near King Farm Park Thursday afternoon, August 13, 2026. The assault was reported in the 400 block of Deer Meadow Lane at 3:00 PM Thursday. That is a residential street that runs alongside the park.

Rockville police release description of suspect in armed robbery of postal worker

Rockville City police have released a description of the suspect in the August 3, 2026 armed robbery of a United States Postal Service mail carrier in the King Farm neighborhood. They have also confirmed that the robber indeed allegedly was after a key that opens multiple mailboxes, the frequent target in robberies of postal employees in recent years. Police say the suspect fled the scene in the 1100 block of Elmcroft Boulevard at 3:45 PM in a blue 4-door sedan.

The suspect is described by police as a Black male with a "light complexion," and a skinny build. He is approximately 5’10" in height, and was wearing dark blue clothing. If you have any information about the identity or location of this suspect, call police at 240-314-8900.

Postal worker robbed at gunpoint in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of an armed robbery in the King Farm neighborhood yesterday afternoon, August 3, 2026. The victim was a United States Postal Service employee delivering mail. At least one suspect wielding a firearm confronted the postal worker outside of a townhome in the 1100 block of Elmcroft Boulevard at 3:40 PM Monday. Montgomery County police say the worker was robbed of unspecified property. 

Police have not released a description of the suspect(s) as of this writing. Typically, criminals robbing postal workers are attempting to obtain the USPS arrow key they carry. These are master keys that unlock all mailboxes within a particular area. Thieves then use the key to obtain checks from mailboxes that they can wash, and cash in their name for an inflated amount. 

Squatter found inside vacant apartment in Rockville

A man arriving to what he expected would be a night of construction work at an apartment in Rockville discovered something - or someone - else. Entering the vacant apartment unit in the 100 block of Talbott Street at 6:46 PM Saturday night, he was startled to find a squatter inside. The squatter ran out of the apartment, and fled the complex, Montgomery County police say. 

Rockville City police officers, who responded to the scene, found no preliminary indication that anything had been removed from the unit. A description of the squatter was not released.

Fugitive alleged thieves found at Motel 6 in Gaithersburg

Two men accused of multiple thefts from vehicles in Bethesda were located at one of my favorite hotels in Montgomery County, the Motel 6 at 497 Quince Orchard Road in Gaithersburg. Say what you will, but these two fellas have got great taste when it comes to lodging. Craig Pendergrass, 30, of Silver Spring and Antonio Gordon, 38, of Frederick may have been expecting Tom Bodett when they heard a knock on their door, but it turned out to be Montgomery's Finest. 

Police claim numerous stolen items, including electronics and other property linked to the Bethesda thefts, were found in their hotel room. Two firearms previously reported stolen in a separate Montgomery County case were also recovered. Pendergrass and Gordon were arrested and charged with multiple counts of theft: $1,500 to under $25,000, rogue and vagabond and related charges. They are being held without bond. 

Photo courtesy Montgomery County Police Department 

Armed carjacking in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of an armed carjacking Monday night, July 27, 2026. It took place in the 500 block of Hungerford Drive (MD 355) at 10:00 PM. A suspect displayed a handgun to a driver, and ordered the driver out of the vehicle. The suspect then drove away in the stolen vehicle. Police have not released a description of the suspect or of the stolen vehicle as of this writing.

Vandals damage apartments in Rockville

Rockville City police report that two suspects allegedly caused damage to multiple apartments in the Rockville Town Center area on July 22, 2026. Between 5:00 and 6:00 PM that evening, police say, the suspects vandalized a water valve at a commercial property in the 100 block of Gibbs Street. As a result of the damage to the valve, multiple apartments in the building suffered water damage. The incident was reported to police the following day.

"Foreign intelligence officials" extort multiple victims in Rockville

Scammers posing as foreign intelligence officials extorted funds from multiple victims in Rockville over the last two months. According to Rockville City police, the fake spies convinced several people to transfer Bitcoin into unknown accounts between June 18 and July 13, 2026. A King Farm resident who realized they'd been duped reported it to police on July 14. If you believe you were victimized as well, contact police at 240-314-8900.