Crime

On Thursday, September 7, at approximately 7:50 pm, Takoma Park Police officers attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle that had just run a red light at New Hampshire Avenue and Holton Lane.

According to police, “The suspect driver fled from officers speeding down Kingwood Drive and lost control of the vehicle after striking the traffic circle at the intersection of Kingwood Drive and Wildwood Drive.  The suspect driver struck several vehicles before coming to a stop.  The suspect driver bailed out of the vehicle and fled on foot.”


Olney

Hallmark recently opened at 18217 Village Center Dr (formerly My Little Gym) in the Olney Village Center. Hallmark previously had a location a few doors down at 18305 Village Center Dr. that closed in 2017.

Hallmark was founded in 1910 by teenage entrepreneur J.C. Hall, and remaining a private company with family members on the board of directors today, Hallmark’s businesses employ more than 20,000 people worldwide. “While there are many ways to experience Hallmark, the experiences that matter most to the company are the ones our customers are able to share with their friends and loved ones. We strive each day to help those experiences – and those connections – come to life. In each of our businesses we aim to be good community partners, we believe embracing diversity and inclusion is the best way to understand and serve our employees and consumers, and we strive to be environmentally responsible. This all helps to fulfill our purpose of inspiring meaningful relationships and enhancing lives.”


Gaithersburg

After 9 years in the Travilah Square Shopping Center, Title Boxing has made the decision to move around the corner to the Traville Village shopping center. Title Boxing will be taking over the space that was home to Anytime Fitness (9725 Traville Gateway) until December 2022, next to the Traville Barber Shop.

The goal is to make it happen by the end of the year, but with only a few days of closure from the time the current location in Travilah Square closes to the time the upcoming location opens. Title Boxing owner John Sahakian tells us he is excited for the parking situation in the new space, as there will be ample parking for all guests. We’ll provide an update as things progress with the move.


Gaithersburg

The Special Victims Investigations Division is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Eduardo Mendez Rodriguez, a missing 15-year-old. Rodriguez was last seen on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at approximately 2 p.m., near Grazing Way in Gaithersburg. He is 5’2″, 100 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes, and has a tattoo of  “504” on his left hand. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, gray shorts, and white sneakers.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Eduardo Mendez Rodriguez is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).


Gaithersburg

The Special Victims Investigations Division is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Erick Romero, a missing 12-year-old. Romera was last seen on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at approximately 8:30 a.m., in the 18400 block of Lost Knife Circle in Gaithersburg. He is 5’3″, 130 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and black pants.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Erick Romero is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).


Bethesda

The incident took place following a Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Walter Johnson football game, where the three accused teens allegedly assaulted and robbed other teenage victims. A male victim, along with a parent, reported the assault to police the night of the incident. A video of the assault surfaced on social media, drawing the attention of Montgomery County Police. As a result, detectives were able to identify the suspects with the assistance of Montgomery County Public School leaders. This case remains an active and ongoing investigation, and more arrests are expected to be made.


North Bethesda

Moby Dick House of Kabob is opening its newest restaurant in North Bethesda, in the White Flint area, at 11431-A Rockville Pike, next to 7-Eleven. This will be the Persian kabob restaurant chain’s 26th restaurant overall and 7th in Montgomery County, where it all started in 1989 with its Bethesda location. The restaurant has put up coming soon signage on the window area of the storefront that was previously home to Verizon, also located next to Matreshka Russian Gourmet (additional photos below).

Founder Mike Daryoush emigrated to the United States from Iran in 1975. He opened a small sandwich shop in 1987 in Bethesda, Maryland, serving a few Middle Eastern dishes. He changed to a Persian menu and added a clay oven in 1989. The name references one of the biggest kabob joints in Tehran, which was right near the American Embassy during the Shah’s time. It was called Moby Dick, apparently because the owner really liked the book. Daryoush passed away on May 9, 2019, only a week after the chain’s 30th anniversary.


Gaithersburg

At the Mayor & City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, Bus Driver/Site Leader Brad Martin and the Lakeforest Mall Retrieval Team were recognized with Employee Recognition Awards for the second quarter of calendar year 2023. Made up of peers from each department, Gaithersburg’s Employee Recognition Committee (ERC) reviews nominations for individuals and teams on a quarterly basis. Each individual and team has been nominated by their peers based on criteria reflecting the City’s five values under the strategic plan – accountability, caring, excellence, integrity, and teamwork, or “ACE IT!.” These winners are then eligible for the annual Employee and Team of the Year Awards.

Brad Martin, Benjamin Gaither Center (BGC) Bus Driver/Site Leader with the Department of Parks, Recreation & Culture, was named Employee of the Second Quarter for his consistent efforts to go above and beyond to ensure BGC members feel special and cared for. Among his many roles, he has served as bingo caller, chef, shopper, and photographer. Brad plans many of the details for the Center’s special events, including decorating and even wearing costumes, creating a sense of contagious enthusiasm for staff and all participants. His work shows a sense of pride in what he does and reflects that he is the ultimate team player.