Fire at Montgomery County dump in Rockville

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service units responded to a fire at the Montgomery County Shady Grove Transfer Station at 16101 Frederick Road in Rockville at noon today. More than twelve units responded to the incident at the County's main refuse disposal site, MCFRS spokesperson Pete Piringer said. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered the fire was in a large trash compactor on the lower level of the facility. 

Heavy equipment, including front-end loaders, had to be brought in to fully extinguish the fire. No injuries were reported.

Rockville office building owner seeks height exemption for rooftop biotech equipment

Here is some good news from the King Farm area of Rockville. Instead of yet another request to convert office zoning to residential use, an office building landlord is seeking a waiver from the City of Rockville that could instead increase the number of high-wage jobs in King Farm. Banyan Street Capital has requested a height waiver for its existing office building at 805 King Farm Boulevard. It is seeking the waiver to allow additional rooftop equipment for a biotech tenant's needs, and a higher rooftop screen wall to block that equipment from view for aesthetic reasons.

In a letter to the Rockville Planning Commission, Banyan Street's attorney, Pat Harris, says that the waiver and new rooftop equipment are "vital to the Applicant’s intended research and development (“R&D”) uses within the building, and the expansion of life science uses in the greater King Farm community." She adds that the new 12' Envel-paneled rooftop screen wall will be designed to closely match the exterior skin of the office building.

Banyan Street Capital completed its acquisition of four office properties in the King Farm employment zone earlier this year. It is making upgrades and amenity enhancements at all of those properties, in what it has branded as The District at King Farm. In addition to the rooftop equipment, Banyan Street says it will be opening a new cafe in the 805 King Farm Boulevard building.

The Planning Commission will consider the waiver request at its October 26, 2022 meeting. It is likely to approve the request, as it voted to allow a similar exemption for sister building 800 King Farm Boulevard in November 2021. A potentially great opportunity for more King Farm residents to be able to walk to high-paying jobs, which was one of the original visions for the community.

Aggravated assault with gun at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police were called to Westfield Montgomery Mall Tuesday night, October 4, 2022, after an aggravated assault with a firearm was reported there. The assault was reported at 8:36 PM. This is the 10th assault reported at the mall since May 18. The police department announced it had opened a "resource room" at the mall in August.

Rockville Memorial Library broken into

Rockville City police responded to a report of a burglary at the Rockville Memorial Library at 21 Maryland Avenue yesterday morning, October 5, 2022. The burglary was reported at 7:13 AM Wednesday. Officers responding to the call found evidence of forced entry at the library. Information regarding what might have been stolen from inside the library has not yet been released by police.

Rockville man dies after losing control of vehicle and crashing into house

A young Rockville man died Tuesday morning, after losing control of his vehicle and crashing into a home in the West End neighborhood, Montgomery County police announced yesterday. Tyler James Lightcap, 23, was driving his 2014 Ford Mustang GT convertible westbound on Beall Avenue shortly before 6:30 AM on October 4, 2022. For yet-unknown reasons, detectives say, Lightcap lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a house in the 100 block of Upton Street.

Lightcap was pronounced dead at the scene. The Collision Reconstruction Unit is conducting an ongoing investigation of this accident. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact CRU detectives at 240-773-6620. 

Ski-masked teens attempt armed carjacking, slam woman into concrete pillar in Rockville

Three 14-year-old males who live in Washington, D.C. have been arrested and charged by Montgomery County police after attempting to carjack a woman in the parking garage at Rockville Town Square on Monday, October 3, 2022 at 11:50 AM. The brazen daylight crime unfolded when a woman parked her 2019 RAV 4 in the garage off Maryland Avenue. As she walked away from her vehicle, three juvenile males wearing ski masks allegedly approached her. 

One of the teens suddenly rushed toward her. He pushed the woman hard into a concrete pillar. After striking the pillar, she fell to the ground. He then stood over her, brandishing a black firearm, and demanded her car keys.

The female victim began screaming, and caught the attention of others in the garage. Those Good Samaritans rushed to help her, and the three ski-masked teens suddenly abandoned their plan and attempted to flee the scene. The bystanders chased after them, using their phones to capture images of the suspects. After being pursued to the intersection of E. Middle Lane and Helen Heneghan Way, the teens turned around and threatened the Good Samaritans with the firearm, causing them to back off.

A Rockville City police officer located the teens about 30 minutes later near the intersection of MD 355 and Gude Drive. When backup units arrived, all three were taken into custody without incident. In one of the suspects' bags, three ski masks and a black BB gun were allegedly found by officers.

All three boys were charged with attempted armed carjacking and first-degree assault. After referral to the Montgomery County Department of Juvenile Services, all three were released into the custody of their parents. 

Rockville Beer and Wine is now open

Rockville Beer and Wine has opened at 15809 Frederick Road in the Derwood area across from King Farm. In addition to a fine selection of beer and wines, the store also sells Maryland Lottery tickets. This is in the small strip center between Wendy's and 7-Eleven on MD 355.