This past summer we let you know that Kats Kitchen and Company is coming to 12854 New Hampshire Ave in Colesville, previously the home of Dominic’s Italian Grille– Dominic’s closed permanently in January.
The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) was “dispatched to Springbrook HS for a physical assault involving a student. One person in custody. No other students injured.”
Per MCPD: A 61-year-old Silver Spring man died when he was hit by a vehicle on Tuesday, September 5, 2023. At approximately 9:26 p.m., 4th District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to New Hampshire Ave. and Bonifant Rd. for the report of a collision involving a pedestrian.
Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) responded to the scene. The preliminary investigation determined that the driver of a grey 2012 Toyota Prius was traveling south on New Hampshire Ave., south of Bonifant Rd., when she struck Sidney Cardoso Sr., who was in the roadway, for reasons still under investigation. The driver remained on scene. Cardoso was transported to an area hospital, with serious injuries, and later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact CRU detectives at (240) 773-6620.
Montgomery County Police are investigating a fatal collision that occurred on Tuesday, September 5, 2023. According to MCPD, “At approximately 9:26 p.m., 4th District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the area of New Hampshire Ave. and Bonifant Rd. for the report of a pedestrian struck.
For reasons still under investigation, the driver of a grey Toyota Prius, that was traveling on New Hampshire Rd., south of Bonifant St., struck an adult male pedestrian who was walking in the roadway. The 61-year-old victim was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries, where he was pronounced deceased.
The driver of the Prius remained on scene. The Montgomery County Department of Police – Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating the collision.” We will post an update if additional information becomes available.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a collision involving a pedestrian on Southbound MD-650 New Hampshire Ave, just South of Bonifant/Good Hope Roads in Colesville on Tuesday, September 5 around 9:20pm. According to public safety reporter Cordell Pugh, the patient was was transported to an area trauma center with critical injuries.
Montgomery County Police tweeted the following at 9:53pm: “TRAFFIC ADVISORY: A traffic collision has southbound New Hampshire Ave. closed between Bonifant Rd. and the ICC. Expect significant delays. Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route.” We will post an update when additional information is available. Featured image courtesy of Google Maps.
CRITICAL INJURY PEDESTRIAN STRUCK: Southbound MD-650 New Hampshire Ave just South of Bonifant/Good Hope Roads. ~9:20PM Tuesday, pedestrian struck and critically injured. @MCFRS/@HVFD12_24 🚑 transported the patient to an area Trauma Center. #DCTraffic #MDTraffic H/T @MoCoPGnews
— Cordell (@CordellTraffic) September 6, 2023
In June we let you know that Kat’s Kitchen and Company signage is up in the window of 12854 New Hampshire Ave, previously the home of Dominic’s Italian Grille, which closed permanently in January. Permanent signage is now up and Google lists August 29th as the opening date for the restaurant (photo below). After stopping by today, it appears more work needs to be done and the restaurant’s hearing with Montgomery County’s Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) isn’t taking place until Thursday, September 7th, so it’s likely the opening may take place later than Google suggests.
There is still not much known about Kat’s Kitchen and Company, but a martini glass is adorns the the logo, so a full bar will be included in the plans. We have left a message with the phone number listed on Google and are awaiting to hear back for additional information.
Per the Office of the United States Attorney, District of Maryland: MS-13 member Kevin Alexander Castillo Calderon, a/k/a “Fantasma,” “Ghost,” “Eterno,” and “Josue Argueta Gonzalez,” age 25, of Colesville, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to a racketeering conspiracy, including a murder.
According to court documents, the La Mara Salvatrucha gang, also known as “MS-13,” is an international criminal organization composed primarily of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador, with members operating in the State of Maryland, including Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and Frederick County, as well as throughout the United States. In Maryland and elsewhere, MS-13 members are organized into “cliques,” smaller groups that operate in a specific city or region. MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence, both to maintain membership and discipline within the gang and against rival gangs. One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, known as “chavalas,” whenever possible. Participation in criminal activity by a member, particularly in violent acts directed at rival gangs or as directed by gang leadership, increases the respect accorded to that member, resulting in that member maintaining or increasing his position in the gang and opens the door to promotion to a leadership position.
According to his plea agreement, Castillo Calderon was a member and associate of Weedams Locos Salvatrucha, (“WLS”), an MS-13 clique operating primarily in Adelphi, Maryland. As detailed in court documents, on August 8, 2020, WLS members, including Castillo Calderon, WLS leader Brayan Alexander Torres and Franklyn Sanchez, were gathered at a park in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Castillo Calderon, Torres, Sanchez and other WLS members agreed to murder Victim 4, who was suspected of cooperating with law enforcement and to whom Sanchez owed a debt. Sanchez and another MS-13 member murdered Victim 4, then WLS members dragged Victim 4’s body to a stream and left it there. Castillo Calderon then picked up a large rock and dropped it on Victim 4’s head. As he was leaving the woods, Sanchez was concerned that his DNA may have been left on the body. To prevent the discovery of DNA or other evidence and to hinder the investigation and prosecution of Victim 4’s murder, other WLS members were called and ordered to bring shovels to the wooded area, where they dug a hole and buried Victim 4’s body. In addition, at Torres’ direction, Castillo Calderon took the guns used to shoot Victim 4 and Victim 4’s cell phone, put them in a bag he was carrying and disposed of the evidence. Victim 4’s body was later recovered with a bullet wound to the head.
Castillo Calderon was also responsible for collecting extortion payments, or “rents,” from extortion victims on behalf of WLS, knowing that the victims making extortion payments did so under the threat of death or bodily injury by members of WLS. For example, gang members used baseball bats to impose rents and sometimes collected rent while flashing firearms or otherwise making it known that they were carrying weapons.
Castillo Calderon and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts his plea, Castillo Calderon will be sentenced to 26 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis has scheduled sentencing for November 7, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. Co-defendant Torres, a/k/a “Spooky,” age 29, of Adelphi, Maryland, is expected to be sentenced to 28 years in federal prison at his sentencing on September 13, 2023. Torres will also be required to pay restitution in the full amount of the victims’ losses, including any funeral costs incurred by Victim 4’s estate. On May 19, 2023, Judge Xinis sentenced Franklyn Edgardo Sanchez, a/k/a “Freddy,” “Magic,” “Miclo,” and “Delinquente,” age 26, of Adelphi, Maryland, to 28 years in federal prison and ordered that Sanchez must pay restitution in the full amount of the victims’ losses, including any funeral costs incurred by Victim 1 and Victim 4’s estates.
Anyone with information about MS-13 is encouraged to provide their tips to law enforcement. The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations both have nationwide tiplines that you can call to report what you know. You can reach the FBI at 1-866-STP-MS13(1-866-787-6713), or you can call HSI at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN, an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime, is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Peri Peri Original & Kallisto Steakhouse is now open in the space that was previously home to Pollo Mex at 13436 New Hampshire Ave in the Colesville Center. Pollo Mex closed last summer after 12 years in the location. Items at Peri Peri Original include wings, coconut shrimp, flame-grilled chicken, pita sandwiches, wraps, smash burgers, and tacos. Kallisto Steakhouse, a concept by the owners of Peri Peri Original, will be joining Peri Peri in the restaurant space, but items from its menu are currently unavailable.
Peri Peri Original is an international chain that has over ten locations in Virginia and Maryland, as well as an additional location coming to Rockville (location not yet available). “Peri Peri chicken is marinated for 24hrs in our unique Portuguese Peri Peri sauce flamed grilled for serving from the spice selection of your choice.” The first United States location was opened in 2018 in Alexandria, Virginia. Kallisto Steakhouse was launched in 2020 in Herndon, VA. “Impatient and unsatisfied from the unavailability of true steak parlors and appropriate cuts under Halal sector, company leaders took a daunting and brave step to take the reins in their hands and inaugurated the operations with the deep vision on providing excellence around the principles of 3Ps – people, process and product. Kallisto Steakhouse incepted with only one goal and that is to bring premium cut and best in class Halal Steaks to its loyal and respected steak connoisseurs, Kallisto Steak house company is proud of being a first mover in the steak industry while offering the unique products to its esteemed patrons. The founders bring deep enthusiasm towards ensuring the sophistication in ultimate product delivery to the end consumers with pride and excellence. Furthermore, finding passion and zeal in delivering mouthwatering steaks that are flavored and grilled to perfection to serve the perfect taste and fulfill the appetite.”
Photo courtesy of Dave H.
Per Montgomery County: A series of Summer Shady Hikes organized by Montgomery Parks will help people stay active in August, despite the heat. The hikes will be especially geared to help beginning hikers. The three hikes in August, designed for ages 8-and-older, wlll take place from 6-7 p.m.
Each one-hour hike ventures through a shady trail in a different park. The hikes are an excellent way to get comfortable with local trails, get in some physical movement and learn something new. The cost is $7 per person for each hike.
To register for any hike, go to ActiveMONTGOMERY – Activity Search (myvscloud.com).
Montgomery Parks Nature on Wheels mobile nature center will be available to provide seating, water and a bathroom accessible via stairs. A park naturalist will lead each hike and teach participants about the plants and animals that call the respective park home.
“Whether you are an experienced hiker or new to the activity, these summer evening hikes are a great opportunity for people to escape the heat and explore some of our beautiful, shaded trails,” said Nature on Wheels facilitator Alexandra Ralph. “And having the Nature on Wheels van there makes the hiking experience accessible to a wider range of people.”
The upcoming Summer Shady Hikes schedule:
- Tuesday, Aug. 1. Matthew Henson State Park, 13421 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring.
- Tuesday, Aug. 8. Potomac Horse Center, 14211 Quince Orchard Rd., North Potomac.
- Tuesday, Aug. 29. Valley Mill Special Park. 1620 E. Randolph Rd., Colesville
Kats Kitchen and Company signage is up in the window of 12854 New Hampshire Ave, previously the home of Dominic’s Italian Grille. Dominic’s closed permanently in January. In December 2022, we received confirmation that the owners of Dominic’s would no longer be opening the new concept, Bourbon, Wings and Beer at the previous home of Buffalo Wings and Beer in Cloverly.
Currently, not much is known about Kat’s Kitchen and Company, but a martini glass is adorns the sign that’s placed in the window of the restaurant, so a bar is likely to remain at the location. We’ll have additional information as soon as it’s available.
