Per Montgomery County: Warm weather is settling in and Wheaton is ready to welcome it. From noon-4 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, the Marian Fryer Town Plaza in Downtown Wheaton will turn into a ”Spring Fling” free community picnic scene with music, food and drinks from local merchants, lawn games and arts and crafts. Marian Fryer Town Plaza is located at 2424 Reedie Dr. in Wheaton. It is close to the Wheaton Metro Station and there is significant nearby parking.
Per MCPD: A Silver Spring man is in custody, one year after a home invasion and shooting of a 58-year-old woman. 27-year-old Saatehu Mesutmen has been charged with home invasion and first-degree attempted murder for allegedly shooting the victim inside of her home in the 13200 block of Stravinsky Terrace in Silver Spring on Monday, April 11, 2022.
During the course of the investigation, detectives discovered that the suspect, Mesutmen, fired multiple shots through the sliding glass door in the back of the house and entered the residence, where he located the victim and shot her. The victim was transported to an area hospital in critical condition where she was treated in the Intensive Care Unit and later released. Mesutmen had no connection to the victim.
Westfield Wheaton Mall offers a wide variety of retail and dining options and play areas for children. In conjunction with the event, AMC Wheaton Mall 9 will showcase the latest, live-action rendition of Disney’s classic tale, which is set to be released in theaters on May 26. Movie goers are encouraged to purchase their tickets here.
This version of The Little Mermaid features a Black actress, singer Halle Bailey, in the iconic role of Ariel. The official trailer for the movie went viral last fall and now surpasses 15 million views. The decision to cast Bailey and release of the trailer sparked a worldwide response, with parents of young Black girls sharing their children’s enthusiastic reactions across social media. “We can’t wait to see the smiles on everyone’s faces as they meet real mermaids and lay their eyes on the elaborate decorations and experiences we’ve been planning for months. It feels great to welcome back The Little Mermaid to the big screen,” says Michael Lado, Director of Marketing at Westfield Wheaton Mall. “I know our mall patrons will be thrilled with everything Westfield Wheaton has done to bring this film to life, and make it part of their world.”
Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) have arrested and charged 20-year-old Jose Roberto Hernandez-Penal of Hyattsville with first-degree rape, kidnapping and armed robbery. Detectives have released a photo of Hernandez-Penal and are urging anyone who may be a victim of a sexual assault by Hernandez-Penal to come forward.
On Tuesday, May 16, 2023, 3rd District officers responded to the Northwest Branch Trail in the 10700 block of Columbia Pike in Silver Spring for the report of a rape and an armed robbery. The investigation by detectives has revealed that at approximately 2:40 p.m., Hernandez-Penal approached two adult females on the Northwest Brach Trail, displayed a machete, stole their property and sexually assaulted one of the victims. Hernandez-Penal then left the scene. Upon leaving the scene, Hernandez-Penal assaulted an adult male victim in the 1100 block of Devere Drive.
Per Montgomery County Police: At approximately 2:54 pm on Tuesday afternoon, Montgomery County Police officers responded to the location for the report of an armed robbery and sexual assault of a woman that occurred on the Northwest Branch Trail in the 10700 block of Columbia Pike in Silver Spring.
The preliminary investigation has revealed that an adult male approached an adult female in the Northwest Brach Trail, displayed a weapon, sexually assaulted her, and stole her property. The male then left the scene.
Fruver, a smoothie, coffee, and snack shop, is now open 11255 Grandview Avenue in Wheaton. It has taken over the space that was previously home to Asesoria Americana and Taxline Services.
Fruver opened in late April and offers a variety of smoothies, smoothie bowls, fresh juices, coffee, and other snacks. The full menu can be seen below.
Hampshire Tower Apartments, a 216-unit affordable high-rise multifamily building located in Takoma Park, has secured a $370,000 Small Business Energy Savings Support (“SBESS”) loan by the Montgomery County Green Bank and City First Enterprises. “Hampshire Tower Apartments is making significant improvements to its energy footprint, and solar is one of the measures it is using to get there.”
The 159 kw solar array, installed by Solar Energy Services, will offset approximately $25,000 in energy costs per year and generate an additional $5,000 in SREC revenue for Hampshire Tower Apartments. Not only will the solar PV system mitigate 130 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year, it will also produce a positive net cash flow for the property that will help maintain the affordability of energy costs of residents for years to come.
Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are looking for two suspects involved in a robbery and vehicle pursuit that ended in Washington, DC. On Tuesday, May 16, at approximately 3:15 a.m., two Black male suspects entered the Dash-In Gas Station, in the 11100 block of New Hampshire Avenue. One of the suspects implied that he had a gun and demanded money from the cash register. The store employee complied and opened the register. The suspects left with an undisclosed amount of money and cigarettes.
The suspects drove off in a white Hyundai Santa Fe, which was reported stolen out of Arlington, VA. 3rd District officers located the Hyundai in the area of New Hampshire Avenue and Northampton Drive. The suspects drove away, and a pursuit was initiated, with the suspects driving into DC, where the vehicle crashed near New Hampshire and Longfellow. A female passenger was trapped inside of the Hyundai and extricated by DC Fire Rescue. The two male suspects managed to get out of the vehicle and run away. The female passenger was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No police officers or bystanders were injured during the pursuit. This is an active and ongoing investigation.
8:25pm Update: The barricaded male is in police custody. The area will be cleared and open soon.
Negotiators are attempting to talk with the barricaded person in the 2300 block of Glenallen Ave. There is still an active police presence in the area.
Silver Spring’s Woodmoor neighborhood music festival, known as WOODMOORstock, will be held for the second consecutive year on Saturday, June 10 (rain date: June 11) from 12pm-6pm. Festival organizers have released the lineup and schedule below, which includes 55 bands who will be playing on 11 volunteer stages around the Woodmoor neighborhood.
Many of the inaugural WOODMOORstock performers are set to return this year, and nearly 40 great new additions to the lineup from all over DC Metro and Baltimore area, including: Pinky Lemon, Dot Dash, Sleeping on Saturn, The Grasso Brothers, Black Shag Sherpas, The Threetles, and many more.
Montgomery County Police and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to a stabbing on Monday night in Wheaton. According to MCPD, “The call came in at approximately 11:44 p.m. when an adult Hispanic male stumbled into the 7-11 at 11400 block of Georgia Avenue suffering from stab wounds. Montgomery County Police officers arrived and began lifesaving measures until Fire Rescue arrived and transported the victim to an area hospital in serious condition. Officers searched the area, but were not able to identify or locate a suspect.”
We will post an update if additional information becomes available. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.