Rockville appoints new City Manager

Rockville has a new City Manager. Jeffrey J. Mihelich was unanimously appointed to the position Monday night by a unanimous vote of the Mayor and Council. Mihelich will officially start work on Monday, July 15, 2024, after four years as City Manager of Bozeman, Montana. He should be well-prepared for the City of Rockville, as Bozeman has experienced booming growth since 2020, forcing officials there to scramble to upgrade infrastructure and find a way to fund those projects. The pace of construction and growth in Rockville will seem leisurely in comparison.

City Councilmember Adam Van Grack reports that a series of open houses and other events will be scheduled to provide a chance for residents to meet Mihelich, and engage with him on their issues and concerns. Mihelich replaces Robert DiSpirito, who is now City Manager of Takoma Park, after a national candidate search. Acting City Manager Barack Matite will continue in the position until July 15.

Photo courtesy City of Rockville

Strong-arm robbery at Rockville restaurant

Rockville City police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery in the Rockville Town Center area on Friday, May 31, 2024. The robbery was reported at a restaurant in the 100 block of E. Montgomery Avenue at 4:07 PM. There are at least four restaurants on that block.

Läderach opening store at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

One chocolate store just moved out of this space at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Now another is moving in. Läderach, a Swiss chocolate and candy manufacturer, will soon be added to the mall's directory. Based in the Alps since 1962, the company specializes in chocolates, truffles, pralines, and fruit-and-nut-filled chocolate slabs called FrischSchoggi. The company currently has 150 boutiques in 16 countries around the world.

Tomato opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Tomato has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The mall has seen some interesting and unique international fashion brands come and go in recent years, and Tomato now joins their ranks. Founded in Alexandria, Egypt exactly thirty years ago, Tomato aspires to bring the ancient quality and craftsmanship that civilization was known for into the 21st century. In the years since 1994, it has grown into one of the leading manufacturers and retailers of men's and children's apparel in Egypt and the Middle East. 

The brand has opened three stores in our region before this one, at Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax, at Potomac Mills Mall in Woodbridge, and at St. Charles Towne Center in Waldorf. Here at Montgomery Mall, Tomato is so new, it hasn't been added to the online store directory yet. Look for Tomato on Level 1 of the mall, next to American Eagle.

Lafayette Federal Credit Union to open new Rockville branch

Lafayette Federal Credit Union is opening a second branch in Rockville this year. It will be at 14933-A Shady Grove Road, in the Fallsgrove Village Center. "Coming soon" signage has been posted in the storefront, which was formerly home to Art & Frame Depot. Lafayette has an existing branch in Rockville at 2701 Tower Oaks Boulevard.

Woman and child accomplices sought in Rockville theft

Rockville City police are seeking the public's help in identifying and locating a woman, and her two child accomplices, in a May 23, 2024 shoplifting incident on Rockville Pike. They are accused of stealing an unspecified amount of merchandise from a business in the 1600 block of Rockville Pike at 5:44 PM that afternoon. Police describe the woman as a White female in her 30s or 40s, wearing a light-colored top and a long black skirt.

Juvenile accomplice #1 is described as a White female, 15 or 16, with dark hair. She was wearing a "pink wrap blouse" and a long black skirt. Juvenile #2 is a White male, 10-12 years-of-age. He wore a black-and-white T-shirt and khaki shorts.

If you have any information about these suspects or this incident, you are asked to call police at 240-314-8900. 

Suspect arrested attempting to steal from vehicles in Rockville

Rockville City police arrested a suspect who allegedly was attempting to steal items from vehicles in the Woodley Gardens/Rockville Estates neighborhood on May 27, 2024. The White male suspect was taken into custody by a Rockville officer in the 600 block of Crocus Drive around 2:00 PM Monday. He has been charged with two counts of attempted rogue and vagabond, which are misdemeanors. The suspect was initially ordered held without bond by Judge Michael O. Glynn, III. A trial has been scheduled.