Author: Patrick Herron

North Bethesda

Police Investigating Double Fatal Collision; Identity of 19-Year-Old Victims Released

By Patrick Herron
Courtesy Cordell Pugh

Per MCPD: Two young women have died following a single vehicle collision in the early morning hours of Saturday, March 4, 2023. At approximately 4:07 a.m., a black 2012 Infiniti G37 with possibly four occupants crashed into a utility pole on Montrose Road near Hitching Post Lane. For reasons still under investigation, the Infiniti lost control, struck the center median, left the roadway, hitting a fire hydrant, electrical control box and several other fixed objects, before crashing into the utility pole.

19-year-old Leslie Kristin Ventura of Germantown was pronounced dead on scene. A second passenger, 19-year-old Kailey Briana Vigil of Rockville, was transported to an area hospital in critical condition, where she succumbed to her injuries and died on Monday, March 6. A third passenger left the location before officers arrived.  The driver was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.

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Gaithersburg

Asian Cuisine and Seafood Now Open in Gaithersburg

By Patrick Herron

Asian Cuisine and Seafood is now open at 8035 Snouffer School Rd in Gaithersburg, the former site of China King.  Menu items includes “bangin wings with DC mumbo sauce,” traditional Chinese carry-out options like Beef with Broccoli and General Tso’s Chicken, and seafood combination platters with Snow Crab Legs, Crawfish, and Mussels.  Asian Cuisine and Seafood is located between 7-Eleven and El Salvadoran restaurant El Encanto in the Horizon Center shopping center.

China King closed this past June after over 20 years in business. The owners told us that difficulty staffing and pandemic woes helped them to decide it was time to retire. China King was known for its modern interpretation of classic dishes and for using high quality fresh ingredients.

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Wheaton

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 16-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 16-year-old from Wheaton. Bridget Coca was last seen in the 2800 block of Hardy Avenue on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at approximately 7:30 p.m. Bridget Coca is 5-feet, 3-inches tall and weighs 100 pounds. She has long black hair and brown eyes.  Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Bridget Coca is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000. Callers may remain anonymous.

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Gaithersburg

Suspect in Custody After Shooting in Montgomery Village Puts Five Schools in Shelter-in-Place

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPS:  “Due to police activity in the area, Watkins Mill HS, Watkins Mill ES, Stedwick ES, Whetstone ES, and Montgomery Village MS are in a shelter in place. Normal operations continue inside the buildings while exterior doors are locked. Police believe there is no direct threat to the schools. Schools will proceed with a normal dismissal.”

Update: A suspect is in custody related to a shooting.

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Gaithersburg

Montgomery Village Schools in Shelter-in-Place Tuesday Afternoon After Two Men Found With Gunshot Wounds

By Patrick Herron

A police investigation has the following schools in a shelter-in-place: Watkins Mill HS, Watkins Mill ES, Montgomery Village MS, Whetstone ES and Stedwick ES.

More information will be released as it becomes available. #MCPNews #MCPD pic.twitter.com/fIOeNlkPsn

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Silver Spring

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 13-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 13-year-old from Silver Spring.    Samar Hammad was last seen on Monday, March 6, 2023, at approximately 9 p.m., at her residence on Fairland Rd. in Silver Spring.

Samar is 5-feet, 4-inches tall and weighs 90 pounds. She has brown and red hair and brown eyes. She was last seen carrying a black and orange Six Flags bag and wearing brown paisley print flair pants.    Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

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Rockville

Update: Man Who Allegedly Stole Cookie Money From Girl Scouts Also Charged With Armed Robberies of 7-Eleven, Smoothie King, WingStop, and a Delivery Driver

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division and Rockville City Department of Police have concluded a joint investigation, leading to the arrest of 24-year-old Gerrard Luke Harrison, of Rockville.  Harrison is believed to be responsible for a series of armed robberies that occurred in Rockville during the month of February 2023.

Detectives reviewed the surveillance cameras of the stores and obtained a physical description of Harrison.  Through the investigation, detectives identified Harrison as the suspect.  An arrest warrant for Harrison was obtained, charging him with armed robbery, first-degree assault, firearm possession-prohibited person, use of a handgun in the commission of a felony, reckless endangerment, theft, and second-degree assault.

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Potomac

Updated Opening Information for Chopt in Cabin John Village

By Patrick Herron

The new Chopt location in Cabin John Village (Potomac), in the space next to Boulangerie Christophe, will hold its grand opening on March 14 (originally scheduled for March 8.) This will be Montgomery County’s fifth Chopt restaurant, with locations currently open in Gaithersburg, Rockville, and two in Bethesda. Prior to the grand opening, on March 13, Chopt will be partnering with Manna Food Center for “Chopt Gives Day” (a tradition the day before every new opening), where 100% of sales go towards their initiatives in ending food insecurity among children and families in Montgomery County.

Chopt joins a bevy of restaurants and retailers that have recently opened or are coming soon to Cabin John Village. Recently Open: The Pretzel Bakery opened in April. Authentic French bakery, Boulangerie Christophe, opened in May. Stretch Zone opened in July. The Scoop ice cream shop opened in August. Cabin John Village, formerly known as the Cabin John shopping center and mall, is  named for the adjacent creek and regional park. It has been a pillar of the Potomac community since 1967 and was acquired by EDENS in 2016. Per EDENS: “EDENS has transformed the traditional shopping center experience into a welcoming communal environment that naturally fosters meaningful social interaction. Complementary retail options include a curated mix of home goods, dining, health and wellness and more outdoor greenspace welcomes the opportunity for community events.” 

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MoCo Government

Inaugural Women’s Day Reception to Take Place This Saturday

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County At-Large Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles is hosting an inaugural Women’s History Month event on Saturday, March 11 from 3-5 p.m. at the AFI Silver Theatre in downtown Silver Spring to honor this year’s national theme for Women’s History Month, “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.” She will be joined by prominent women in the media: Ovetta Wiggins, Politics Reporter with the Washington Post; Andrea Sarralde, Emmy Award Winning Journalist with Montgomery Community Media; and Jenn White, host of NPR’s 1A Podcast.

“Women’s History Month is an important time to celebrate the achievements of trailblazing women striving for equal rights,” said Councilmember Sayles. “By bringing women together in Montgomery County for this special occasion, we learn about the sacrifices women have made to successfully lead in their careers. Our stories are nuanced and significant, and we must continue to take up space to ensure dignity, respect, and equal access to opportunity.

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MoCo Government

Council and County Executive Send Letter to the Maryland House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee Supporting the Melanie Diaz Sprinklers Save Lives Act

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council and County Executive Marc Elrich, led by Councilmember Kate Stewart, sent a letter to the chair and members of the Maryland House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee today in support of the Melanie Diaz Sprinklers Save Lives Act (House Bill 1292), sponsored by Maryland State Delegates Lorig Charkoudian, Marvin Holmes, David Moon, Emily Shetty and Jared Solomon and Jheanelle Wilkins.

Stronger fire safety protections like these could have helped slow the devastating fire last month at a Silver Spring high-rise apartment complex that displaced over 400 residents, led to the hospitalization of 20 people, including firefighters responding to the incident, and caused the tragic death of 25-year-old Melanie Diaz and her two dogs. In 2019, the Maryland State Fire Marshal highlighted the dangers of living in high-rise buildings without sprinkler systems, which have been shown to reduce civilian fire deaths by up to 87% – but older buildings, a majority of which are in Montgomery County, are not required to have these sprinkler systems in place. 

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