Rockville Archives - Page 232 of 366

Police Respond to Armed Carjacking in North Bethesda

Published February 26, 2023 at 10:00PM

Montgomery County Police responded to an armed carjacking on Sunday evening in North Bethesda. According to police, “At approximately 6:39 pm, MCP officers responded to the Exxon Gas station in the 11400 block of Rockville Pike for the report of a carjacking that just occurred. The preliminary investigation has revealed that two armed suspects stolen a vehicle from a victim and left the scene. No injuries have been reported. The suspects have not been apprehended.”

According to public safety reporter Cordell Pugh, an orange Audi Q3 SUV was stolen at gunpoint. We will post an update when additional information is available.

Driver Crashes Into Ice Skating Rink in Rockville Town Square; No Pedestrians Injured

By MCS Staff

Published February 26, 2023 at 6:32PM

Per Rockville Police: “Traffic Collision – 2/26/23 at 5:23 p.m. Maryland Ave/Rockville Town Center. Vehicle crashed into ice rink, driver and passenger transported to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Thankfully, no pedestrians or skaters injured.”

Photos From MCDOT’s Emory Lane and Muncaster Mill Road Shared Use Path Project

By MCS Staff

Published February 25, 2023 at 7:38PM

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is investing in a well connected pedestrian and bicycle network which enriches the livability of a community. Therefore, MCDOT is implementing bicycle facilities such as off road shared use paths, which serve as critical links in the transportation system, providing access to residential areas, transit, commercial districts, schools, places of worship, parks, and recreation areas.

MCDOT has initiated preliminary design for the Emory Lane and Muncaster Mill Road (MD 115) Shared Use Path Project from Holly Ridge Road to Muncaster Mill Road at the proposed North Branch Trail in order to provide safer bicycle and pedestrian access between the ICC bike path along Georgia Avenue and the proposed North Branch Trail/Rock Creek Regional Park. Photos courtesy of MCDOT.

Quincy’s South to Close; Restaurant Looking for New Location

By Patrick Herron

Published February 25, 2023 at 3:47PM | Updated February 26, 2023 at 11:58AM

After nine years, Quincy’s South at 11401 Woodglen Dr in Rockville will be closing on March 31. The restaurant is currently looking for a new location as the current building is going to be redeveloped by its landlords. Drew Gardner, who is in the running for Maryland bartender of the year, will be the new General Manager and managing partner when the restaurant reopens. After 3/31, Gardner will be at Quincy’s Potomac (1093 Seven Locks Rd) until a new location is found for Quincy’s South.

We’ve also received many questions about Quincy’s opening a location at the space that was home to China Gourmet in Kensington, but have been told that the sports bar/restaurant opening there is not associated with Quincy’s. China Gourmet closed back in December after 35 years in business. Signage at Quincy’s South reads:

Rockville Man Accused of Killing Former Boss at Bethesda Home Pleads Guilty to All Counts

By MCS Staff

Published February 24, 2023 at 6:18PM

Today, in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before Judge Karla Smith, defendant, Billy Phillips, 38, of Rockville, pleaded guilty to counts of First-Degree Murder, Home Invasion, Armed Robbery, and Use of a Firearm in Commission of Felony for the death of his former manager, Geoffrey Biddle, 66, of Bethesda, on June 23, 2021.

Phillips faces the potential of life in prison plus an additional 65 years when he is sentenced on March 10^th at 10:30 a.m. The State will be seeking the maximum penalty. According to witnesses, Phillips had recently been in financial despair and was fired from his job in April 2021 for fraud. When he was arrested, the victim’s bank card and checkbook were in the defendant’s car. Featured photo shows home where murder occurred, courtesy of Google Maps. Photo below shows Billy Phillips

Rockville Man Charged With Robbery of Cricket Wireless

By Patrick Herron

Published February 24, 2023 at 5:48PM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police- Major Crimes Division have arrested and charged Craig Donnell Johnson of Rockville, with the robbery of a Cricket Wireless that occurred on Saturday, February 18, 2023, in the 2100 block of Veirs Mil Road. The investigation by detectives has revealed that Johnson entered the store at approximately 4 p.m., and approached the victim, who was working in the store. Johnson inquired about a product and then left the store.

At approximately 4:15 p.m., Johnson returned to the store, approached the victim and asked to see a specific phone. As the victim went to retrieve the phone, Johnson covered his face and followed her to the rear of the store. Johnson approached the victim, put her in a headlock and demanded money from the register. The victim’s daughter was also in the back of the store, coloring at that time. Johnson ordered the victim’s daughter into the bathroom, took the keys to the register and then ordered the victim into the bathroom with her daughter. Unable to open the register, Johnson ordered the victim out of the bathroom and demanded that she open it. Johnson then assaulted the victim and fled the store with an undisclosed amount of money. Through the course of investigation, Johnson was identified as a suspect.

Rockville Ranked Eighth Most Ethnically Diverse City in U.S., According to Study

By Patrick Herron

Published February 23, 2023 at 9:57PM | Updated February 24, 2023 at 7:32AM

Per the City of Rockville: Rockville has been ranked eighth overall and fourth among small cities in the U.S. for its ethnic diversity, once again placing highly in an annual WalletHub study. More than one-third of Rockville’s 67,117 residents were born outside of the U.S.

Rockville and three other Montgomery County municipalities, Gaithersburg, Germantown and Silver Spring, ranked in the top 10 spots among all cities, of any size, in the entire United States.

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 56-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Published February 23, 2023 at 12:27PM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 2nd District Investigative Section are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 56-year-old from Rockville. Neil Bernstein was last heard from on Friday, February 17, 2023, at approximately 9:53 a.m. He is missing from Twinbrook Parkway in Rockville.

Bernstein is approximately 5-feet, 9-inches tall and weighs 150 lbs. He has short grey and brown hair and green eyes. Police and family are concern for his welfare.

New Cybersecurity Initiative with Focus on Helping Small Businesses Seeking to Provide Cybersecurity Services Will Be Detailed at March 6 Event in Rockville

By Patrick Herron

Published February 23, 2023 at 10:20AM | Updated February 24, 2023 at 5:45PM

Per Montgomery County: As the world continues to grapple with the complexities of securing critical IT systems and infrastructure, the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) and partners are stepping up their collaborative approach to cybersecurity innovation. A new initiative with a focus on helping small businesses seeking to provide cybersecurity services will be detailed at an event in Rockville on Monday, March 6. The National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) is launching the new Cybersecurity Connections initiative with a special emphasis on small businesses seeking to provide cybersecurity services or that want to connect with companies, government or academic organizations for cybersecurity support.

Some of the effort’s goals are to:

Formal Plaque Unveiled to Recognize the Renaming of Rockville Memorial Library

By Patrick Herron

Published February 23, 2023 at 9:52AM

Per Montgomery County: A formal plaque has been dedicated at the Rockville Memorial Library recognizing the name change from the original Rockville Library. The name change for the branch of the Montgomery County Public Libraries system was instituted in 2010 at the request of Gold Star families—those who have lost a family member in U.S. military conflicts—and the County Commission on Veterans Affairs.

The plaque is located on the first-floor lobby of the library, next to a digital display honoring the County’s Fallen Heroes. The Fallen Heroes digital display honors County residents killed in action dating to World War I

City of Rockville to Waive Fees for Select Home Improvement Permits During Earth Month (April)

By MCS Staff

Published February 23, 2023 at 8:32AM

Rockville, MD

The City of Rockville will mark Earth Month in April by waiving permit fees for certain environmentally friendly home improvements. The city will waive all fees assessed by Rockville’s Inspection Services Division that are directly associated with the residential installation of solar photovoltaic systems, electric vehicle charging stations and energy-efficient heating and cooling upgrades, such as heat pumps.

Applications must be submitted by Sunday, April 30 at www.mygovernmentonline.org and must be accepted by city staff by 5 p.m. Monday, May 1. For more details, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/165/Permits-Inspectionsor email questions to [email protected]. This program is in support of the city’s Climate Action Plan, which was approved by the Mayor and Council in 2022. For more about the plan, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/climate.