Akira opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Akira has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Founded in 2002 by Eric Hsueh, Erikka Wang, and Jon Cotay in Chicago, the women's apparel boutique now boasts over 30 locations nationwide. Rather than derive inspiration from fashion trends in southern California or New York City, Akira's founders say their apparel is unapologetically representative of Windy City style. Look for Akira on Level 1 in the Old Navy/The Cheesecake Factory wing of the mall, in the space recently vacated by Alex Baby & Toys.

Assault in Rockville Town Center

Rockville City police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault in the Town Center area Monday afternoon, November 18, 2024. The assault was reported in the 100 block of Monroe Street at 4:30 PM. That is near the Montgomery County Executive Office Building.

Rockville park dispute ends with punch to nose

A disagreement between two groups in a Rockville park ended with a physical assault, Rockville City police report. The two groups were visiting a park in the 300 block of Martins Lane on the evening of November 6, 2024, when a dispute broke out between them at 10:00 PM. A member of one of the groups then punched a member of the other group in the nose.

The victim then called 911. Police describe the suspect as a person of "unknown race, unknown gender," with a thin build and "dark complexion." The suspect is about 5'11" tall. They were wearing all black clothing, and wore their hair in a "top bun." If you can identify this suspect, call police at 240-314-8900.

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.