Diner wrestles auto thief for car keys in Rockville

A lunchtime meal at a Rockville restaurant came with a bonus wrestling match on November 7, 2024, Rockville City police report. Around 12:10 PM, a would-be auto thief grabbed the car keys of a diner at a restaurant in the 2100 block of Veirs Mill Road. The male suspect then attempted to use the keys to steal the victim's car in the parking lot outside. A physical struggle ensued between the suspect and the victim, in which the victim prevailed.

Police describe the suspect as a Hispanic male, 20 to 30 years of age, with a thin build. He has black hair with a short buzz cut, and thin facial hair on his chin. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a black shirt, a black baseball hat, and green, black, and white Asics sneakers. If you can identify this suspect, or have any other information about this incident, you are asked to call police at 240-314-8900.

Strong-arm robbery in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery on the morning of November 13, 2024. The robbery was reported on the street in the 1300 block of Edmonston Drive at 11:00 AM Wednesday. That is a residential street near Veirs Mill Road and Hillcrest Park.

Santa's Workshop now open at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Santa's Workshop has been transported south to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, and you are invited to enter through Christmas Eve, December 24. Inside, children are invited to write letters to Santa, enjoy Mrs. Claus’ weekly story time, and create gingerbread crafts in Comet’s Craft Room. LEGO mini-build classes will be held, and a gift-wrapping station will be manned by the Girl Scouts, Hope Connections and Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Look for Santa's Workshop on Level 1 of the mall, near J.Crew.

Assault at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police were called to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda on the evening of November 12, 2024, after someone reported having been assaulted there. The assault was reported at 9:34 PM Tuesday. This was the eleventh assault reported this year at the popular mall. Only five were reported there in 2023. 

This year's total is now just one away from matching the twelve assaults reported at the retail center in 2022. That led to Montgomery County police opening a "resource room" at the mall, in an attempt to combat elevated crime at the property - part of a general crime wave that has persisted countywide since 2020, after the County Council defunded the police. The police department is down 194 officers since 2020, and 179 police officer positions are now vacant, according to a County Council staff memo released earlier this year.

California Fish Grill opening first East Coast location in Rockville

California Fish Grill will open its first East Coast location in Rockville. The Newport Beach-based fast-casual seafood chain currently has restaurants in California, Arizona, and Nevada. It announced plans to expand to the Eastern seaboard earlier this year. The Rockville location will be at 12238 Rockville Pike at Towne Plaza.

True to its name, grilled seafood meals are the specialty of the house at California Fish Grill. Those selections appeal to health-conscious diners, with grilled fish atop rice with a side of vegetables. But scrolling further down the menu, more decadent entrees await, such as fish-and-chips and fried catfish. Like many fast-casual concepts, California Fish Grill offers bowls (including its trademark Cali Bowls), wraps, and salads. But it also sells tacos, and is one of the rare fast-casual restaurants serving calamari.

Towne Plaza faces heavy competition, surrounded by major retail centers like Montrose Crossing and Federal Plaza. It continues to add interesting dining tenants, even if some of them have been short-lived. They had Chef Geoff's last decade, and even tried to bring back Boston Market at one point. Fine dining is a tradition at Towne Plaza, which was home to Rockville's most-popular restaurant in the 1990s and early 21st-century, Houston's.

Tonieh Boutique closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Tonieh Boutique has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. All of the merchandise has been cleared out of the space, which is on Level 2 of the mall by Beauty Frizz, but the sign is still lit over the storefront. The store opened in February 2024. Tonieh Boutique still has locations across the river in Tysons and Dulles Town Center.

Embrace Ur Greatness opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Embrace Ur Greatness is opening at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. It is a sportswear/streetwear boutique that is "looking to spark self-belief through the form of merchandise." An online storefront is also open for business. Look for Embrace Ur Greatness on Level 1 in the Old Navy wing of the mall, between T-Mobile and Windsor.