Strong-arm robbery in Rockville shopping center parking lot

Rockville City police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery at a shopping center in the Twinbrook area early Sunday evening, June 19, 2022. The robbery was reported in a parking lot in the 2000 block of Veirs Mill Road at 6:55 PM.

Chase Bank property for sale in Rockville before the bank has even opened

The property that will soon house a Chase Bank branch at 460 Hungerford Drive in Rockville is now on the market for sale. After a controversial debate over the historical significance of a retail building on the site, including the trashing of a highly-respected prominent architect who designed it, Chase Bank finally received approval to demolish it and build a branch there. The current property sale would give the prospective buyer fee-simple ownership of the land, while Chase pays for maintenance, taxes and other costs. However, to see the sale price and terms, you must sign a non-disclosure agreement first.

Reardon Sullivan earns police union endorsement in Montgomery County Executive race

Republican Reardon Sullivan has been endorsed by the Montgomery County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 35 in the primary election for County Executive. Increasing crime countywide has become a hot-button issue in the campaign for both of the major political parties. The police union criticized County leaders last year for defunding 27 police officer positions, amid a spike in armed carjackings that has continued through this year. 

Amidst local and nationwide anger over police-involved deaths, and calls from some Democrats in 2020 to "defund the police," County Police Chief Marcus Jones said morale among his force was the lowest he had ever seen during his career here. Officer retirements are up, and recruitment of new officers has been difficult. Where applications once numbered in the thousands, the 2021 recruit class numbered only 14. This past January, the chief told the County Council that he is losing an average of 4 officers per month to retirements.

Reardon has zeroed in on this crisis in his campaign messaging, promising to "fully fund the police," and to "give the men and women of law enforcement the respect they deserve." He has also vowed to return Student Resource Officers to public schools, where several violent incidents including a shooting have led to calls for bringing SROs back to campuses. "We all know that crime is on the rise in the County," Sullivan said in a statement. "The time for change and new leadership is now. We need leaders that can bring common sense back to our local government."

Roaming Rooster sets opening date for Rockville

Roaming Rooster, a fast casual restaurant chain known for its fried chicken sandwiches, has set an opening date for its newest location at Pike & Rose. The restaurant will officially open tomorrow, Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at 11580 Old Georgetown Road.

Started as a food truck in 2015, Roaming Rooster has since become one of the most-successful family and minority-owned hospitality businesses in the region. In addition to its famous free-range, grain-fed, antibiotic-free and Halal fried chicken sandwiches, the chain also offers an all-week breakfast menu, salads, side dishes, chicken wings, chicken tenders and hand-cut fries. The sandwiches are available in your choice of heat level: mild, medium or hot.

Photo courtesy Federal Realty

Rockville Amazon Fresh update (Photos)

The cart return, and signs for curbside pick-up customers, are now out in the parking lot in front of the future Amazon Fresh grocery store in the 270 Center on Shady Grove Road, on the border of Rockville and Gaithersburg. A sign inside the store now reads "Gaithersburg," so that's where Amazon comes down on the subject (and leaves the door open for a more centrally-located Rockville store in the future). More has been added to the interior, but there still isn't anything on the many shelves yet. so opening day is still a ways off.

Assault reported at Montgomery County Agricultural History Farm Park

Stay out of the parks at night, folks. Montgomery County police responded to a report of an aggravated assault at the Montgomery County Agricultural History Farm Park early yesterday morning. The assault was reported at 12:54 AM at a farm facility at the park at 18400 Muncaster Road in Derwood. 

Car reported stolen from Rockville auto dealership

A vehicle was reported stolen from an auto dealership in Rockville on Thursday evening, June 16, 2022. Montgomery County police responded to a dealership in the 12300 block of Carroll Avenue at 7:44 PM, in an industrial area near Twinbrook Parkway and Parklawn Drive. Auto Wholesalers of Rockville is located on that block of Carroll.