Armed carjacking reported in Rockville

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed carjacking on Rockville Pike late Sunday afternoon, January 31, 2021. The carjacking was reported at a commercial parking lot in the 12000 block of Rockville Pike around 5:31 PM, according to crime data.

Strong-arm robbery in Rockville

City of Rockville police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery Sunday morning. The robbery was reported at an office building in the 15200 block of Shady Grove Road around 9:23 AM, according to crime data.

Strong-arm robbery in Rockville

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery in Rockville on Thursday morning. The robbery was reported along the street in the 11400 block of Rockville Pike around 7:15 AM, according to crime data.

Purse snatching at Rockville grocery store

A purse-snatching was reported at a Rockville grocery store on Wednesday afteroon. Montgomery County police responded to the theft at a supermarket in the 12000 block of Rockville Pike around 1:00 PM. No force was used against the purse's owner in the snatching, according to police data.

Robbery and assault at Derwood restaurant

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a robbery and assault at a restaurant in the Derwood area Saturday night. An unspecified weapon other than a firearm was utilized in the robbery, which occurred at a restaurant in the 15800 block of Frederick Road around 10:06 PM, according to crime data.

Strong-arm robbery on Rockville Pike

A strong-arm robbery on Rockville Pike was reported to Montgomery County police early yesterday morning. According to crime data, the victim was in a car in the 800 block of Rockville Pike around 1:48 AM.

Strong-arm robbery in Twinbrook Metro station parking lot in Rockville

A strong-arm robbery in the Twinbrook Metro station parking lot at 1600 Chapman Avenue was reported to Montgomery County police Tuesday. The robbery took place around ten minutes before midnight, according to crime data.

Strong-arm robbery on Woodglen Drive in Rockville

A victim reported a strong-arm robbery on Woodglen Drive around 8:30 PM Wednesday night to Montgomery County police, crime data indicates. The victim was in a car at the time of the robbery, records state.

Fallsgrove Sunday Safeway bank robber strikes again - and gets away again

Encore! Encore!

The same suspect returned to the scene of his alleged past crimes this past Sunday at the Fallsgrove Safeway at 14939 Shady Grove Road. As he has done each month so far this year, he passed a note to the teller at the in-store SunTrust Bank, obtained cash, and fled. He even came around the exact same time as he did last month. What's astonishing is that no one was prepared for him by now, and that some of the basic anti-robbery strategies appear to not be employed by SunTrust.

No exploding dye pack? No marked bills? Or other similar tactics to lead police to the perpetrator after a getaway? You would think the bank would be expecting the guy at this point, and that police would be staking out the bank on Sundays.

Instead, we have another photo of the suspect pulling off his latest alleged heist. It's no wonder he's often shown on his phone while at the store. "I can't believe how easy it is to rob a bank in Montgomery County - thank God for our soft-on-crime County Council," he must be saying to disbelieving friends. It's SunTrust customers in Rockville and elsewhere who have to pay ever-higher banking fees to make up for the cash that people like this guy get away with.

Anyone with information about the suspect or these bank robberies is asked to contact the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5100. To be eligible for a reward, tipsters may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to the arrest and/or indictment of this suspect. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Rockville bank robbery suspect photos released in search

Montgomery County police have identified a suspect in the January 27, 2019 SunTrust Bank robbery inside the Shady Grove Road Safeway store around 4:05 PM that afternoon. Detectives have released surveillance camera photos of the suspect, and are seeking your help in identifying and locating him.

Anyone with information about the suspect or this bank robbery is asked to contact the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5100.  To be eligible for a reward, tipsters may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).  Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to the arrest and/or indictment of this suspect.  Tipsters will remain anonymous.

Rockville gas station robbed

Montgomery County police are searching for a suspect they say robbed a gas station in Rockville on December 5, and have released surveillance footage of the man. Detectives allege the man entered the convenience store at the Exxon station located at 5500 Norbeck Road around 12:10 AM. They say he implied he had a gun, and demanded cash.

The suspect allegedly then took the cash, grabbed some other merchandise, and then fled the scene. Anyone with information regarding the suspect or this robbery is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest in this case.

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.