East County

Armed Carjacking Suspect Arrested

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division have arrested and charged 31-year-old Freddy Obi with an attempted armed carjacking and strong-arm carjacking, both of which occurred on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in the Burtonsville and Silver Spring areas.

At approximately 6:13 p.m., 3rd District officers responded to the 14900 block of Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville for the report of an attempted armed carjacking. Unable to take the vehicle, the suspect was observed leaving the scene in a white Ford Fusion with significant damage to the back bumper.

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FDA Expands Warning to Consumers About Product That Has Been Referred to as “Nature’s Ozempic”

By MCS Staff

There are currently three FDA-approved semaglutide products. All three medications, Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy, are only available with a prescription, and there are no approved generic versions. Since their approval, many weight loss products have used the medications’ name, “Nature’s Ozempic”, etc. to fuel sales of their products.

Per the FDA: The FDA and Maryland Department of Health analyses have determined that certain weight loss products labeled as Nuez de la India, and potentially marketed as “botanical food,” “India Nuts for Weight Loss,” “slimming seeds,” “India seeds for weight loss,” or “diet seeds,” appear to be highly toxic yellow oleander, a poisonous plant native to Mexico and Central America. Ingestion of yellow oleander can cause neurologic, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular adverse health effects that may be severe, or even fatal. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cardiac changes, dysrhythmia, and more.

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MCFRS Respond to Collision With Entrapment Early Sunday Morning

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a collision with entrapment on Sandy Spring Rd and Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville on Sunday, September 17, around 1am.  According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, one adult was transported to the hospital with trauma. We will provide an update if additional information becomes available.

Update – Sandy Spring Rd, collision w/ entrapment, @MCFRS_EMIHS transported 1 adult trauma, some lanes blocked pic.twitter.com/pkMkt3Q56N

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Update: Police Investigating New Hampshire Avenue Pedestrian Fatality; Victim’s Identity Released

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: A 31-year-old Silver Spring man died after he was hit by a vehicle on Wednesday, September 13, 2023.   At approximately 4:12 a.m., 3rd District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to New Hampshire Avenue near Chalmers Road 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 has determined that the driver of a white 2020 Ford Transit Van was traveling southbound on New Hampshire Avenue, when he struck a pedestrian, later identified as Evan Heath Hesekiel, who was crossing southbound New Hampshire Avenue, north of Chalmers Road. The driver remained on scene.

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Hybrid Public Meeting on the Old Columbia Pike / Prosperity Drive Improvements Project in White Oak to be Held on Wednesday, September 27

By Patrick Herron

Per MCDOT: On Wednesday, Sept. 27, starting at 6:30 p.m., the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold a hybrid public meeting to discuss the latest progress of the Old Columbia Pike / Prosperity Drive Improvements project in Burtonsville. The public will have an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments.

The Old Columbia Pike / Prosperity Drive Improvements project provides for a facility planning study to enhance safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and people with disabilities as they travel to nearby schools and facilities, and improve intersection safety and capacity issues. Drainage issues within the project limits will also be addressed. The project limits are from Stewart Lane to Cherry Hill Road. Public input is encouraged and may influence the design of this project.

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White Oak Lanes to Reopen This Month

By Patrick Herron

White Oak Duckpin Lanes at 11207 New Hampshire Ave, which opened in 1959, has announced it will reopen on Saturday, September 30. The bowling alley has been closed since September 2021 due to flooding and a subsequent dispute with the building’s landlord. According to a post on its Facebook page, “The long anticipated return of the white oak duckpin lanes will be September 30 at 10:00 am. (If nothing crazy happens!!!). Keep a look out…we are planning some prizes and have more updates to roll out!!! Please share and get the word out!!!”

A GoFundMe created for the business in December, 2021 has raised over $27,000.  White Oak Lanes announced it would be returning back in February of this year: “As you are probably aware, White Oak Lanes experienced a really bad flooding incident back in September of 2021. This incident caused substantial damage to our lanes. Even though we are going to be sad to see the old lanes leave, we will definitely be excited to see the new lanes when they are completed! When you come back, White Oak will have new lanes, approaches, and pin decks! Hope everyone is as excited about that as we are!”

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Pedestrian Struck and Killed by Driver Wednesday Morning

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian collision that occurred Wednesday morning in Hillandale. According to police, “At approximately 4:12 a.m., on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the area of New Hampshire Avenue and Chalmers Road for the report of a pedestrian struck.  

The adult male victim was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.  The striking vehicle remained on scene.   This is an active and ongoing investigation.” We will provide an update if additional information becomes available. Featured image courtesy of Google Maps. 

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Collision Involving Pedestrian Closes Portion of New Hampshire Ave Wednesday Morning

By MCS Staff

Per Metropolitan Area Transportation Operations Coordination (MATOC): Crash with Injury. MD-650 SB (New Hampshire Ave.) at Cresthaven Drive. Montgomery County, MD. All travel lanes are blocked. Follow police directions in the area. Delays are building. Extended closure expected.

At 4:44am Montgomery County Police issued the following traffic advisory: “TRAFFIC ADVISORY: A traffic collision has southbound New Hampshire Ave. closed at Cresthaven Rd. Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route. Expect significant delays.”

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507 Vehicles Stopped, 3 Arrested During September 2 Sobriety Checkpoint

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Police has announced that during a September 2nd sobriety checkpoint on Columbia Pike and Dustin Rd in Burtonsville, officers from MCPD and allied agencies stopped approximately 507 vehicles and arrested 3 people for driving while impaired. During an August 25 sobriety checkpoint on northbound Georgia Avenue at Weller Road in Wheaton, MCPD stopped approximately 372 vehicles and arrested 5 people for driving while impaired and during an August 18th sobriety checkpoint on northbound Frederick Road at Game Preserve Road in Gaithersburg police stopped 565 vehicles and arrested 4 people for driving while impaired.

In July, recreational marijuana use became legal in the state of Maryland and Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones issued the following reminder before the July 4th weekend, “We implore drivers to think of cannabis the same way they think of alcohol. Do not get behind the wheel of a car if you are impaired. Our officers will pull over and arrest anyone they suspect of driving while impaired. Alcohol, marijuana and other drugs can impair the ability to drive because they slow coordination, judgment, and reaction times. Our priority is keeping the roads safe for everyone.”

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