ROCKVILLE GAS STATION ROBBER GETS 12 YEARS IN SLAMMER

A Germantown man who robbed several gas stations and stores in Rockville and the Aspen Hill area was sentenced to 12 years in prison Monday. Duane James, 53, pled guilty to a spree of 7 robberies in  Rockville and Silver Spring, according to U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein. In each case, James wore a ski mask.

Among the businesses victimized by James were the Rockville Shell station, Twinbrook Shell gas station, and Bel Pre Beer and Wine. James also bagged $10,000-worth of jewelry from The Gold Spot store.

James was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow, and federal prosecutors received assistance from the ATF and Montgomery County Police in the case.

Photo: Montgomery County Police

ROBBERY ON FISHERS LANE + MORE - NIGHTSWATCH: ROCKVILLE CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Rockville on August 10, according to crime data:

Theft from vehicle. 700 block Carr Avenue.

Theft. 100 block Virginia Avenue.

Assault. 15900 block Somerville Drive.

Robbery. 5700 block Fishers Lane.

VIOLENT PURSE SNATCHER ATTACKING WOMEN IN TWINBROOK - ROCKVILLE CRIME ALERT

Anyone who walks home from the Twinbrook Metro station should be extra aware of his or her surroundings. Three women have been robbed of their purses in the Twinbrook neighborhood recently, after walking home from the Twinbrook Metro station around 8-10 PM.

All three women were walking alone; one received a head injury, and was dragged along the sidewalk until the suspect was able to get her purse. She was hospitalized for treatment. The locations of the attacks were Lemay Road and Ridgeway Avenue (December 5), Stanley Avenue and Matthews Drive (December 7), and Lemay Road and Holland Road (December 8).

The best description available of the suspect(s) currently is a 6 foot tall man wearing a dark-blue hoodie, black pants, light brown boots, and gray baseball cap with a red stripe. In each case, the suspect has assaulted the victim by striking or shoving her to the ground.

If it is necessary to walk home from the Metro station, take extra precautions and have your cellphone ready to dial 911 if necessary. Anyone who has a tip for Rockville Police in these cases, can call investigators at 240-214-8938. 

WEEKEND ROBBERIES IN ROCKVILLE

Two robberies were reported in Rockville over this past weekend.

On Friday, a robbery occurred in the 1700 block of Rockville Pike.

A second robbery was reported on Maryland Avenue in the town center on Saturday, March 16.

More details when they are made available.

ROBBERY ON HURLEY AVENUE LAST FRIDAY

A robbery was reported last Friday, March 8, in the 800 block of Hurley Avenue in Rockville, according to crime data.

No further details are available at this time, but I will post them as soon as they are released.

NIGHTS WATCH - ROCKVILLE CRIME REPORT

If you live on or near N. Horners Lane in Rockville, be sure to lock your car doors, and make sure to remove any valuables.

Two vehicles have been opened by thieves on that street this week, according to crime data.  The incidents occurred on Sunday, January 20, in the 600 block, and Tuesday, January 22, in the 400 block of N. Horners.

Other crimes around Rockville:

Sunday, January 20:

Assault. 1800 block of Rockville Pike.

Theft. 1500 block of Rockville Pike.

Monday, January 21:

Assault. 12200 block of Rockville Pike.

Theft. Clyde's Tower Oaks Lodge.

Burglary. 1000 block of 1st Street.

Theft. Research Court.

Theft. 300 block of Hungerford Drive.

Assault/other sex offense.  W. Montgomery Avenue.

Tuesday, January 22:

Robbery. 1700 block of Rockville Pike.

Theft. 5700 block of Bou Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 100 block of Halpine Road.

Theft from vehicle. 15400 block of Frederick Road.

Theft. W. Montgomery Avenue.

Theft. Choke Cherry Road.

NIGHTS WATCH - ROCKVILLE CRIME REPORT

Criminals were busy in Rockville at the end of last week. According to crime data, there was a robbery reported in Rockville Town Center, 2 stolen cars, 2 assaults and a variety of thefts.

Here is a list of incidents:

Thursday, January 17:

Theft. 800 block of Royal Crescent at 1636 Piccard Drive.

Disorder. 800 block of College Parkway.

Disorder.  300 block of Martins Lane.

Assault.  600 block of Twinbrook Parkway.

Friday, January 18:

Theft.  15800 block of Redland Road.

Theft from vehicle. 15300 block of Frederick Road.

Theft from vehicle. 200 block of Frederick Road.

Theft. 200 block of N. Washington Street.

Robbery. Potbelly, 199 E. Montgomery Avenue.

Theft of vehicle. 600 block of Blandford Street.

Theft of vehicle. 200 block of Hardy Place.

Theft from vehicle. 1700 block of E. Jefferson Street.

Theft. 11700 block of Parklawn Drive.

Saturday, January 19:

Theft. 1200 block of 1st Street.

Disorder. 300 block of Howard Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. Wintergreen Plaza.

Theft. 1600 block of Rockville Pike.

Assault. Ritchie Center, 785 Rockville Pike.

Theft. 5200 block of Randolph Road.

Theft from vehicle. 5500 block of Randolph Road.