Armed robbery at CVS in Derwood

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery at a CVS Pharmacy in Derwood yesterday, May 12, 2026. The robbery took place at the CVS at 17651 Redland Road at 5:35 PM Tuesday. According to police, three suspects entered the store and attempted to shoplift merchandise. When the store manager confronted them, one of the suspects drew a knife and told the manager they would kill him. The three suspects then successfully fled the store with stolen merchandise.

Police have not released descriptions of the suspects. They did not indicate how the three avoided appearing on the many surveillance cameras inside the CVS. This was - yet again - another violent crime taking place during daylight hours, the latest trend in the six year Montgomery County crime wave.

Update on Montgomery County's first Hobby Lobby, opening June 1

The Tyvek is off the facade at what will soon be Montgomery County's first Hobby Lobby store at 15750 Shady Grove Road on the border of Gaithersburg with Rockville. In its place are red brick and concrete facade treatments. Glass has also been installed, but the new vestibule lobby makes it difficult to see the interior at the moment. The store is scheduled to open on June 1, ten months after I broke the news that MoCo was finally going to get a Hobby Lobby. Let's hope Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse, Cracker Barrel, and Waffle House can break through the truly-weird Montgomery County Council's obstacles next!

Sign installed at Gap Factory in Rockville

The main sign is up at Gap Factory, opening soon at 1667 Rockville Pike at Congressional Plaza. It has the widely recognizable Gap logo, but is otherwise understated in size and color. They could go bigger and louder, in my opinion, especially when you have to make what little signage you're allowed these days count. The windows are still papered over, so we can't see just how close opening day is. The sign installation - and especially the removal of the construction wall, suggests it is not far off.

Squishable moving at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Squishable is relocating inside Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The plush toy retailer won't be going far, though. It is going to be across from its current location. That location has temporarily closed because it takes time and some doing to corral these creatures and herd them across the corridor. 

Update on Gap Factory in Rockville

The construction wall across the storefront has been removed from the future Gap Factory at 1667 Rockville Pike at Congressional Plaza. Alas, the windows are still papered over, blocking view of the progress on the interior fit-out of the store. A sign has been installed over the sidewalk out front, but the main sign above the storefront is still to come. Gap Factory sells apparel exclusive to Gap Factory stores, designed with less-expensive materials at lower prices by "real" Gap designers. So, if you want to look like you shop at Gap, but pay less, Gap Factory will be for you.

Smash-and-grab theft spree in Rockville

Rockville City police are investigating a smash-and-grab theft spree that took place in the King Farm neighborhood between April 26 and 28, 2026. Windows were smashed on at least seven vehicles, and cash and other valuables were taken from the interiors. The incidents affected the 100 block of King Farm Boulevard, the 100 block of Redland Boulevard, the unit block of Elmcroft Court, and the 500 block of King Farm Boulevard. No suspect descriptions have been released at this time.

Francesca's closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Francesca's has permanently closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. They had one of the longest closing sales I've seen outside of some of those rug shops. Then again, the demise of the fashion boutique chain was also a long one. Francesca's filed for bankruptcy over five years ago. Westfield is probably not losing sleep over this closure, as it has recently agreed to leases with a number of tenants that would be considered an upgrade from Francesca's.