Montgomery County police chief announces retirement

Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones abruptly announced his retirement this morning, January 30, 2024. He has served the public for 38 years, the last four of them as chief. His retirement will be effective Monday, July 1.

“It has been an honor to lead such a dedicated and talented department of officers and professional staff. I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together, and I am confident in the department’s continued success,” Chief Jones said in a statement. “Now is the right time to retire. I am grateful for the support I have received throughout my career. While I may be stepping down a few months earlier than originally planned, I won’t be far. You will still see me around, actively engaging in and contributing to the well-being of Montgomery County.”

A department press release states that the search for a new police chief will begin immediately. Chief Jones did not cite a specific reason for his retirement, nor for moving his retirement date up to July 1.

7-Eleven reportedly to close at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

A source tells me that the 7-Eleven at Westfield Montgomery Mall is closing. They report that the lottery machine had already been removed from the store Monday. An employee told them the convenience store would close tomorrow, Wednesday, January 31, 2024. Employees will reportedly be offered jobs at other local 7-Eleven stores. 7-Eleven opened at the mall in July 2020, after a 19-month construction process. 

Rockville jewelry store broken into

Rockville City police responded to a burglar alarm at a jewelry store early yesterday morning, January 28, 2024. The call came from a store in the 1500 block of Rockville Pike at 3:14 AM Sunday. Aras Jewelers is located on that block. Officers arriving at the scene found evidence of forced entry to the store.

Strong-arm robbery at Rockville bus stop

Rockville City police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery at a bus stop Friday night, January 26, 2024. The robbery was reported at a bus stop in the 700 block of Hungerford Drive at 7:00 PM. That is just north of Rockville Town Center on MD 355.

Police investigate assault at Rockville hotel

Rockville City police were called to the Red Roof Inn at 16001 Shady Grove Road Wednesday night, January 24, 2024, after a 2nd-degree assault was reported there. The assault was reported at the hotel at 11:41 PM Wednesday. 

Man denied entry by Rockville store smashes window

A man who was denied entry to a store on Rockville Pike allegedly smashed a front window at the business, Rockville City police say. The suspect punched the window of a store in the 1700 block of Rockville Pike at 1:35 AM on January 21, 2024. Police did not say why the man was denied entry. 

The suspect is described by police as a Black male, 32 to 33 years of age, with a medium build, and 5 feet, 10 inches in height. If you have any information about this suspect or this incident, you are asked to call police at 240-314-8900.

Maryland U.S. Senate candidate Robin Ficker endorses Donald Trump for President

Maryland U.S. Senate candidate Robin Ficker (R) has endorsed Donald Trump for President, the Boyds resident and attorney announced in a press release timed to coincide with Trump's second consecutive victory of the 2024 primary season. The endorsement isn't likely to help Ficker much in the general election, in a state where Trump has some of his lowest popularity numbers in the nation. But, barring former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan coming to his political senses, Ficker has a very good chance to be the GOP nominee in the race this November. He is the only declared Republican candidate in the race with statewide name recognition, as both a former elected member of the House of Delegates and a notorious Washington Bullets superfan seen on TV reports from coast to coast over the decades.

"It's time for us to coalesce behind the only Presidential Candidate capable of restoring logic to our government," Ficker said in a statement. "President Trump is the only candidate with a proven track record of historically low unemployment, safer communities, and lower energy prices. Together, President Trump and I will secure our Southern border. Together, President Trump and I will stop the flow of fentanyl across our border and onto our streets. President Trump and I will take swift and decisive action to protect our communities and secure our border.

"President Trump and I will bring the country into a new, prosperous economic age and help the United States become energy independent again, pursuing an ‘all-of-the-above’ approach to our energy sector. President Biden has failed in every one of these categories. The choice is clear. Reject Biden's policies in the ballot box this November and vote for Donald J. Trump!"