Crime

Life Sentence Plus 20 Years for Defendant in 2022 Red Roof Inn Murder

By MCS Staff

Per the Office of the Montgomery County State’s Attorney: In the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Karla Smith has sentenced defendant Sergey Danshin, 35, of Rockville, to life in prison plus an additional 20 years. The sentencing hearing was held earlier this week on Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023. Danshin was convicted by a jury on January 13th, 2023, of first-degree murder and related handgun charges for the death of 39-year-old Javier Gonzalez-Mena.

On June 22nd, 2022, Danshin and co-defendant, Micah Clemons, 33, of Virginia, knocked on the door of a room at the Red Roof Inn along the 16000 block of Shady Grove Road in Rockville, where victim, Gonzalez-Mena, had been staying. After an initial confrontation, Danshin left the area of the room, only to return several minutes later to ambush Gonzalez-Mena.  Danshin then fatally shot Gonzalez-Mena. Gonzalez-Mena’s girlfriend was holding his hand as he was shot and fell to the ground. Danshin ordered her to come to a waiting get-away car where he removed a facial covering that he was wearing and revealed his identity. The two were known to each other. As soon as Gonzalez-Mena’s girlfriend had the opportunity, she called 911. Danshin and Clemons were arrested along with the driver of the getaway car, Willman Quintanilla, 44, of Boyds.

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Gaithersburg

Daytime Eats in Gaithersburg Has Closed

By Patrick Herron

Daytime Eats at 7889 Cessna Ave in Gaithersburg has closed. The restaurant made the following announcement on its Facebook page: “With great sadness and after much thought, we will be closing Daytime Eats. To all of our friends we have made, we are better people because of you. We are so thankful and appreciative of every guest that walked through our doors. Your support and generosity will never be forgotten. The new owner should be reopening the doors soon and we wish them much success. Feel free to reach out or stay in touch on Facebook. We will miss you immensely”

Daytime Eats was a fast casual restaurant which served breakfast all day. We will post an update when additional information is available. Featured photo courtesy of Daytime Eats on Facebook.

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Germantown

Signage Up for Charleys Cheesesteaks & Wings in Germantown

By Patrick Herron

Signage is up for Charleys Cheesesteaks & Wings at 19877 Century Blvd in Germantown. Charleys is taking over the location that was previously home to Roll by Goodyear and Yogi Castle in the Shops at Town Center & Century Station shopping center. The restaurant is being opened by the same franchise group that opened a location last year at 405 N Frederick Ave in Gaithersburg, in the spot that was previously Teriyaki Express. A representative from the store tells us that the opening date is still to be determined.

In March, we reported that signage went up for Charleys Philly Steaks inside of the Germantown Walmart at 20910 Frederick Rd, taking over the space formerly occupied by McDonald’s. No opening date for the Wal-Mart Charleys has been announced.

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Crime

Twenty-Year-Old Man Arrested in Connection to Easter Morning Home Invasion Murder

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division have arrested and charged 20-year-old Kaleab Abebe Berhanu, of Baltimore, for the homicide that occurred on Sunday, April 9, 2023, in the 11800 block of Old Columbia Pike.

Berhanu is accused of killing 20-year-old Carlos Rashard Carter, of Silver Spring. Through the investigation, detectives developed Berhanu as the suspect.

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Event

StoryBox Comics Fair 2026

Third Hill Brewing Co.

8216 Georgia Ave

Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

Contact Social

Join Us for StoryBox Comics Fair, a two-day festival celebrating local and independent comics authors!

Day 1 – Saturday, June 27th, 11-5pm @ DwightMess compound (805 Silver Spring Ave): Events are open to the public, admission is FREE. Featuring Special Guest Artists, gallery exhibitions, workshops, artist talks, a modeling session (suggested donation) and exhibitors, you can dig in to indie comics and also tour the compound, which features an extensive comics collection, a rare video collection, Risograph and screenprinting studios.

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MCPS

Wootton High School Student is Part of Trio Who Helped Save A Life at the School on Monday Night

By MCS Staff

A Wootton High School senior, Vivek Majumdar, is one of three people credited for helping save a life at a lacrosse game at the school Monday night. According to David Kaplan of Fox 5, “A teacher at Wootton High School, an emergency room doctor and the 18-year-old student government president who just so happens to be a trained EMT” are being credited for working together to save a man who suffered a medical emergency that caused his heart to stop beating at the school on Monday night.

Per the report, someone came from the bathroom screaming for help when Majumdar and a parent who happened to be an emergency room doctor jumped into action and started performing chest compressions. A Wootton teacher retrieved a defibrillator and the trio was able to eventually get a pulse on the person suffering the medical emergency. The person was transported to Shady Grove hospital where we are told his condition is improving.

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Rockville

Black Bear Update: Sightings Thursday Night in King Farm and College Parkway in Rockville

By Patrick Herron

The Rockville City Police Department (RCPD) tweeted Friday morning that there were additional sightings of a bear last night in King Farm and College Parkway in Rockville. Earlier this week we reported that there had been several sightings of a large black bear in West Rockville, specifically the areas of Woodley Gardens and Great Falls Road. RCPD is working with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to locate and relocate the bear and reminds residents to “Stay alert, calm, do not approach or attempt to capture the bear! Please call RCPD at 240-314-8900 ASAP if you see him.” Tips courtesy of the National Park Service below:

5/5/23 – 9:30 am -Black Bear Update – Sightings of the bear last night in King Farm & College Pkwy. RCPD is working with MD DNR to locate & relocate the bear. Stay alert, calm, do not approach or attempt to capture the bear! Please call RCPD at 240-314-8900 ASAP if you see him. pic.twitter.com/Et3HYQq2CY

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MoCo Government

Montgomery County HOC Dedicates New Affordable Senior Apartment Community in Silver Spring That Is Named for Former County Executive Isiah Leggett

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and County Council President Evan Glass today joined Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Congressman Jamie Raskin and community leaders in Silver Spring as the County’s Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) dedicated its newest affordable senior community, “The Leggett.” The 267-unit, 16-story complex was named for former County Executive Isiah Leggett, who was a strong advocate for affordable housing.  Among the many people attending the ceremonies were Lt. Governor Aruna Miller, members of the County Council, former Congresswoman Connie Morella and former staff of Mr. Leggett’s administration.

Under Mr. Leggett’s leadership as County Executive from 2006 to 2018, Montgomery County expanded affordable housing funding; maintained or constructed 77,000 affordable housing units; and invested in countywide measures to improve the quality of life for senior adults.

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Crime

Detectives Investigate Dollar Tree Burglary; Suspect Flees Scene on Razor Kick Scooter

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Investigative Section are investigating a commercial burglary of the Dollar Tree store in the 13800 block of Outlet Drive in Silver Spring that occurred on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Detectives have released surveillance video of the female suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying her.

At approximately 9:07 a.m., 3rd District officers responded to the location for the report of a commercial burglary that just occurred. The investigation has revealed that the suspect forced entry into the store, vandalized property and merchandise and left the scene on a razor kick scooter. Detectives reviewed the surveillance cameras of the store and obtained a description of the suspect. The suspect appears to be a female with long dark hair, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, black leggings and red shoes.

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Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg Planning Commission Approves Application to Demolish Buildings in Anticipation of Redevelopment at Park and Brookes Ave

By MCS Staff

The Planning Commission approved the revised application to demolish the buildings located at 9, 11, and 15 Park Avenue and 201 Brookes Avenue in anticipation of redevelopment into a pair of four-story multifamily buildings totaling 151 units with 182 parking spaces at its May 3 meeting. At its May 17 meeting, the Planning Commission is scheduled to vote on a draft resolution of approval based on its discussion at its May 3 meeting.

Per the City of Gaithersburg: The Historic District Commission initially reviewed SP-9149-2021 at its June 22, 2022 meeting for potential historic or architectural significance. The application was deferred to its next meeting so the HDC could receive more historical information on the properties. At its July 27 meeting, the HDC determined there was reasonable probability 9, 11, 13, and 15 Park Avenue and 201 Brookes Avenue could be locally designated as an historic district, or, in the alternative, 9 and 15 Park Avenue and 201 Brookes Avenue could be locally designated as individual sites. The HDC directed Staff to prepare a petition resolution to the Mayor and City Council, and the HDC approved the resolution at its August 24 meeting. At its October 3 meeting, the City Council voted not to accept the HDC’s petition to designate the properties as historic. The HDC provided a nonbinding courtesy review of the Concept Site Plan (SP-9149-2021) at its October 26 meeting.

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Gaithersburg

Run For Gaithersburg City Council! Candidate Packets Available Starting May 11

By MCS Staff

Candidate Packets will be released on May 11. The packets will be available online or can be picked up at City Hall. Per the City of Gaithersburg: City residents will cast their ballots for three City Council Members in November of 2023. All Council Members serve at-large. The terms of office for Council Members Neil Harris, Ryan Spiegel, and Robert Wu expire in November. The Council Members elected in 2023 will each serve a four-year term.

Candidate Packets for this election cycle will be released on May 11. The packets will be available online here or can be picked up at City Hall, 31 South Summit Avenue. Candidates must file a petition for candidacy with the Gaithersburg Board of Supervisors of Electionsvia the Office of the City Attorney. The petition must be signed by at least 100 City residents who are registered voters, with both electronic and paper versions of the petition signatures available.

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Events

“Sideline Swap”, an Event That Allows You to Trade-in Your Gently Used Sports Gear For Gift Cards, Runs at Dick’s in Rio Until This Sunday

By MCS Staff

Following last week’s Sideline Swap at Dick’s in Wheaton, the swap will be hosting another local trade-in event at the Dick’s Sporting Good at Gaithersburg’s Rio Lakefront (2 Grand Corner Ave) from Friday, May 5th until Sunday, Sunday, May 7th. You can bring your gently-used sports gear to receive a gift card for the trade-in value. Sideline Swap is accepting hockey, baseball, lacrosse, golf, ski gear & more. Sideline Swap runs from 2pm-7pm on Friday, 10am-6pm on Saturday, and 10am-6pm on Sunday. Items accepted include:

Items not accepted include:

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