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.

Two more pickpocket incidents in Rockville

Nimble fingers continue to flex their pocket-searching muscles in Rockville in recent days. Two more pickpocket incidents were reported at retail establishments on Friday, October 20, and yesterday, October 21, 2023. A pocket was picked at a store in the 10000 block of Darnestown Road at 6:46 PM on Friday. Another wallet was pilfered at a business in the 5200 block of Randolph Road yesterday afternoon at 1:15 PM. Watch your wallet: the National Crime Prevention Council recommends carrying your wallet in a front pocket, rather than in your rear pocket.

Police respond to assault at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an assault at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda on Friday afternoon, October 20, 2023. The assault was reported at 3:07 PM Friday. This is the fourth assault reported at the mall this year, and the first since July 19. Despite that, violent crime has trended downward at the mall since police established a "resource room" at the popular retail center, following a string of assaults last year. By comparison, there were 12 assaults reported at the mall in 2022.

The Fix relocates at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

The Fix has relocated inside Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Its old space near the food court has been cleared out. Look for the device repair and accessories shop next to AT&T. The Fix opened at the mall in 2017. Their new spot looks a bit bigger.

Pickpockets strike twice in 7 minutes in Rockville

Watch your wallet in Rockville! Pickpockets struck twice in two different locations within 7 minutes of each other on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. The first incident was reported at 5:23 PM at a store in the 12200 block of Rockville Pike. Seven minutes later, Montgomery County police were called for a second pickpocket incident at a restaurant in the 1400 block of Research Boulevard. The latter theft appears to have taken place at the Research Row development, which has several restaurants.

Will Jawando ends campaign for Maryland U.S. Senate seat

Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando (D - At-Large) announced this morning that he is ending his campaign for the Maryland U.S. Senate seat of Ben Cardin (D), who will retire in January 2025. In a statement released by his campaign, Jawando said that "after a lot of thought and prayer and late nights with my wife Michele, I’ve decided that it’s time to take a step back from the race. Not because we believe any less in the cause that started it. The fights we talked about in this campaign are and always will be the fights of my life. But after thinking long and hard about this race in particular, I frankly no longer see a path for myself to victory. And because I have so much respect for my loyal supporters, my constituents in Montgomery County, and my loving wife and children, I cannot remain in a race I do not believe I can win."

Jawando's exit is disappointing for progressive voters who supported his campaign. "I am sorry for those who will find this news disappointing – believe me, I am also disappointed," Jawando said. To his supporters, and the local and state-level elected officials who endorsed him, the councilman said, "I am so proud to have earned your support. I look forward to fighting alongside you each and every day. Thank you again to every supporter of my campaign, it truly means the world to me that you believed in me, my message, and our vision."

Barring a late entry by Congressman Jamie Raskin or another established progressive candidate, Jawando's exit is most likely to benefit Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. While many - including a few journalists - have questioned Alsobrooks' progressive bonafides based on her law enforcement record, she is still considered to stand to the left of her biggest rival, Congressman David Trone (D - 6th District). Police reform and transparency were niche issues for Jawando in the race, and those will likely fade into the background now that neither Trone nor Alsobrooks are likely to raise them going forward. 

While Jawando is folding his Senate campaign, he assured supporters he won't be stepping away from politics. "I am not going anywhere!" he said. "I will continue serving the people of Maryland no matter what." Some observers have theorized that, should a referendum barring Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (D) from seeking a third term appear on the 2024 ballot and pass, Jawando might be a candidate for that top County office in 2026. An open executive seat is likely to be pursued by Jawando, Councilmember Evan Glass (D - At-Large), and Councilmember Andrew Friedson (D - District 1), among other notable Democrats. As Jawando signed off in his statement today, "This is not the end – it is only the beginning."

Police called after assault at school in Rockville

Montgomery County police were dispatched to Parkland Magnet Middle School for Aerospace Technology at 4610 W. Frankfort Drive in Rockville yesterday afternoon, after a 2nd-degree assault was reported there. The assault was reported at the school at 5:26 PM Thursday.