Crime

Two Adults and One Teen Arrested for for Handgun Possession in Montgomery Village

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: 19-year-old Oliver Perez-Fierro, of Montgomery Village, 19-year-old Osman Maldonado, of Gaithersburg, and a 16-year-old, from Gaithersburg, have been arrested and charged with multiple firearm related charges.

On Wednesday, August 15, 2023, at approximately 7 p.m., officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 6th District Decentralized Community Action Team conducted a traffic stop on a Black Honda Accord in the area of Montgomery Village Ave. and Arrowhead Rd., for a traffic violation.

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Bethesda

Tuesday Morning Bomb Threat Believed to be Related to Friday’s Bomb Threat at Montgomery Mall; Both Determined Not Valid

By Patrick Herron

On Tuesday, Montgomery County Police responded to the Bullis School (10601 Falls Rd) in Potomac for the report of a bomb threat. The school was evacuated and after several hours it was determined that the threat was not valid. MCPD tweeted that the school had been turned back over to Bullis administration and that it is believed this incident is related to a “swatting call” that occurred August 18 at Montgomery Mall (7101 Democracy Blvd) in Bethesda. 

Montgomery County Police tweeted the following at 12pm on Tuesday, August 22: “MCPD is at Bullis School for a reported bomb threat. School is being evacuated as a precaution. Currently investigating the validity of the report. More information will be released as it becomes available.” We will post an update when additional information is available.

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MCFRS

Montgomery County Bomb Squad to Conduct Training That May Cause Loud Booms On Wednesday in Poolesville

By MCS Staff

According to Montgomery County Police social media, the Montgomery County Bomb Squad will be conducting explosives training at the Outdoor Shooting Range off of Elmer School Rd. in Poolesville, on Wednesday, August 22, 2023 from 9am-3 p.m.

Residents in the Poolesville/Dickerson area may hear louder than usual “booms,” however there is no need for alarm.

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MoCo Government

Montgomery County Seeks Nominees for Inaugural Presentation of Its Early Care and Education Excellence Awards

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Child Care Support Services (CCSS) is seeking nominees for its first-ever presentation of the Montgomery County Early Care and Education Excellence Awards. Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 5. Self-nominations are encouraged. The awards were established by the County in partnership with all County early care and education associations to recognize and honor those dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to ensure that the County’s youngest children (ages birth to 5) receive the highest quality early care and education. Award selections will be made by a panel of child care organization representatives. Awardees will be honored at the Montgomery County Early Care and Education Fall Conference in October.

“We know that quality early education is critical to the development of a child and leads to lifelong benefits,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Those who receive positive guidance in their early years are more likely to pursue higher education, attain better jobs and live healthier lives. Educators who demonstrate exceptional service should be recognized, and I am glad that DHHS has created this awards program. I encourage everyone to participate in nominating their favorite early childhood educator.”

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Montgomery Village

Antojitos Salvadoreños Isabel to Open This Friday in Montgomery Village

By Patrick Herron

Antojitos Salvadoreños Isabel at 19114 Montgomery Village Ave is scheduled to open this Friday, August 25. The restaurant is located in the former Einstein Bagel Bros spot in the Montgomery Village Shopping Center. The restaurant will serve traditional Salvadorian dishes like pupusas, tamales, yuca con chicharron, and pastelitos (full menu can be seen below.) Einstein Bros closed its Montgomery Village store in December 2021. La Poteria, which sells Colombian street food and coffee, is located next door.

In other Montgomery Village Shopping Center news, signage has been installed at the upcoming Hangry Joe’s.  The Nashville-style hot chicken restaurant will be located adjacent to the Starbuck’s at 19290 Montgomery Village Ave.  Also, construction is ongoing and “coming soon” signage is up for Baskin Robbins, which will be located next to the upcoming Safe Splash Swim School and Suburban Hair.

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Education

Councilmembers Call For “Truly Independent” Investigation Into MCPS Response to Allegations of Sexual Harassment, Bullying, and Retaliation

By Patrick Herron

On Monday, Councilmember Dawn Luedtke and County Council President Evan Glass sent a letter to State Inspector General for Education Richard Henry and Montgomery County Inspector General Megan Limarzi asking that they conduct a “truly independent” investigation into Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) response to allegations of sexual harassment, bullying, and retaliation that were uncovered in a recent Washington Post article.  MCPS announced last week that it had  “instigated an external, independent investigation with the law firm of Jackson Lewis.”

Glass tweeted the following on Tuesday morning: “As the new school year is about to begin, our educators, staff, students and families need to know that a truly independent investigation is being conducted into the allegations of sexual harassment, bullying and retaliation by one of the school system’s middle school principals. and I believe that the Maryland Inspector General for Education and the Montgomery County Inspector General are best positioned to conduct this important investigation.” Full letter below:

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DMV

Metro: New, Higher Faregates Are Reducing Fare Evasion By More Than 70 percent

By MCS Staff

Metro today released preliminary data showing that new, higher faregates are reducing fare evasion by more than 70 percent at the first stations where they have been installed, including Fort Totten, Pentagon City, Bethesda, Vienna, Mt. Vernon Square, and Addison Road. Metro is now publishing both paid and unpaid ridership data on its online ridership portal to provide transparency on the effectiveness of fare evasion reduction strategies and a more complete picture of total ridership to the public.

New faregate installation was completed today at Congress Heights, and installation at Federal Center SW, Wheaton, and Court House is expected to be completed by early September, followed by the rest of the Metrorail system. Metro will continue to monitor the performance of the new faregates as the rollout is completed.

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MCPD

Police and Family Searching for Missing 15-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

The Special Victims Division is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Xavier Beltran, a missing 15-year-old.  Beltran was last seen on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at approximately 12 p.m., in the 200 block of Poplar Spring Road in Rockville. He is 5’6″, 120 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes.

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

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MCPD

Police Responding to Bomb Threat at Bullis School in Potomac

By Patrick Herron

The Bullis School is located at 10601 Falls Rd in Potomac. We will post an update when additional information is available.

MCPD is at Bullis School for a reported bomb threat. School is being evacuated as a precaution. Currently investigating the validity of the report. More information will be released as it becomes available. #mcpd #mcpnews pic.twitter.com/hjQzFAyjI8

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MCPD

Police and Family Searching for Missing 16-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

The Special Victims Division is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Hagan Rousseau, a missing 16-year-old. Rousseau was last seen on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at approximately 9:30 p.m., at the Dunkin Donuts in the 11000 block of New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring. He is 5’7″, 145 lbs., with brown hair, brown eyes, and was last seen wearing blue jeans and a black shirt.

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

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Bethesda

Detectives Continue to Search for Suspect Wanted for Groping Several Women Along Bethesda Trolley Trail; Possibility of Additional Victims a Concern

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Police are continuing to investigate a “series of inappropriate touching” that occurred this spring on the Bethesda Trolley Trail. Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 2nd District Patrol Investigations Unit are investigating a series of inappropriate touching committed by a suspect who groped women in the adjacent neighborhood along the Trolley Trail located between Edson Lane and Tuckerman Lane in Bethesda. Detectives have released video of the male suspect and are urging anyone who may be a victim of an inappropriate touching by this suspect to come forward.

The investigation by detectives has revealed that on Sunday, May 21, 2023, at approximately 9:30 p.m., a female victim was walking on Nicholson Lane near the Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center when she was approached by the suspect who was riding an electric scooter. The suspect then knocked her to the ground and groped her before she was able to escape and call police.

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