Germantown

Germantown Serial Bank Robber Who Attempted to Disarm Sheriff’s Deputy Sentenced to 32 Years

By Patrick Herron

Per the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office: In the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Karla Smith has sentenced defendant, Steven Ray Beitzel Jr., 33, of Germantown to 85 years in prison suspend all but 32 years and five years of supervised probation upon release. The sentencing hearing was held yesterday, June 21st, 2023.

On March 23rd, 2023, after a two-day trial, a jury found Beitzel guilty of one count of Attempt to Disarm Law Enforcement and two counts of Second-Degree Assault. Following the conviction, the State and defendant entered into a plea agreement to resolve four remaining criminal cases involving charges including Motor Vehicle Theft, Assault, Armed Robbery, Robbery and Burglary. This stems from a string of incidents in 2021 and 2022.

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Ms. Ida Pearl, MoCo Born and Raised, Celebrated Her 105th Birthday

By MCS Staff

Ida Pearl (known to most as Pearl) was born and raised on Riffle Ford Road. She was born in 1918 and on Thursday, June 18, she celebrated her 105th birthday!

She has lived the last 70+ years on Quince Orchard Road, just couple miles away from her childhood home. She is a faithful and dedicated member of Fairhaven United Methodist Church and a loyal trustee of the Pleasant View Historical Association. Some know her as “The Avon Lady,” as she has been one for over 60 years.

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Gas Leak Closes Roads in Germantown; Significant Delays Expected

By MCS Staff

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to contractors hitting a gas line at 19900 Century Blvd near Crystal Rock Dr. at TD Bank in Germantown at approximately 5:40pm on Tuesday evening. The bank building has been evacuated and the area is being secured as units await the arrival of Washington Gas. Century Blvd is currently closed at Crystal Rock Dr. due to the gas leak. Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route and significant delays are expected.

Per MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer: “19900 Century Blvd., near Crystal rock Dr.,, TD Bank, Germantown, contractors hit gas line, @mcfrs PE729, PE735, PE734, PE722, E753, T734, AT735, RS729, A722, A735, HM728, SU725, BC705, BC703, T725, EMS703, SA700 & others responding, Bank building being evacuated” Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

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Where to Watch Fireworks in Montgomery County This July

By Patrick Herron

The City of Rockville will hold its annual Independence Day celebration and fireworks display at Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park in King Farm on Tuesday, July 4th from 7pm to 10pm. “This location offers wonderful spectator viewing, and ample and convenient parking for the 4th of July festivities. Enjoy live music by Vertigo Red and a 20-minute fireworks display.”

 

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MCPD: Traffic Stop in Germantown Leads to Arrest for Possession With Intent to Distribute and Firearm Charges

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police- 5th District Community Action Team have arrested 20-year-old, Elvis Gomez of Boyds, for possessing a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute and a privately manufactured firearm (PMF).

At approximately 5:30 p.m., officers observed a blue 2016 Toyota Corolla commit a moving violation in the area of Wisteria Drive and Father Hurley Boulevard.  Officers initiated a traffic stop of the Toyota, which turned into a shopping center in the area. When the vehicle stopped the front and rear passengers jumped out of the car and ran away. Gomez, who was driving the Toyota, remained on scene. After talking with officers, Gomez took off on foot, running down Wisteria Drive. While running, officers observed Gomez throw the keys to his vehicle into a sewer drain. Gomez was quickly apprehended without incident.

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Police and Family Concerned for Missing 57-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 5th District Investigative Section are asking for the public’s assistance in locating William Edward Mease a missing 57-year-old from Germantown.

Mease was last seen on Friday, June 2, 2023, in the area of Doxdam Court. Mease is approximately 5-feet, 9-inches tall and weighs 220 pounds. He has brown hair. It is unknown what clothing he was last seen wearing.  Police and family are concerned for his welfare.

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Six Community Leaders to be Honored with ‘African American Living Legend Awards’ on Friday, June 16, at BlackRock Center in Germantown

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County’s 26th Juneteenth Celebration, themed “Journey to Freedom . . . Memorialize the Struggle, Celebrate the Successes and Secure the Justice and Equality,” will kick off at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 16, at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown when Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich presents “African American Living Legend Awards” to six County residents. This year’s honorees are Henry Hailstock, Jr., Rev. Theresa M. Henderson, Pauline G. Johnson, Sheila G. Ogilvie, Vernon H. Ricks, Jr. and Lt. Colonel Shelton (Ivan) Ware.

The Juneteenth celebration will continue at BlackRock with activities from noon-10 p.m. on Saturday, June 17. The BlackRock Center is located at 12901 Town Commons Dr. in Germantown. The public is invited to the award ceremonies. The event is free to attend. The African American Living Legend Awards honor distinguished individuals who have helped shape the cultural heritage of the African American community. The 2023 awards will be presented to six individuals who have dedicated their lives to service, advocacy and selfless acts of kindness to their community.

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Opening Information for MoCo’s First Sheetz

By Patrick Herron

Sheetz is holding a hiring event today, June 14, at the Holiday Inn Express in Germantown in preparation of the opening of its upcoming store at 751 Progress Way in Gaithersburg. The location, which will be the first Sheetz in Montgomery County, is targeting an August 10th opening date. Last month we reported that Sheetz will also be opening a location in the Walnut Hill shopping center in Gaithersburg in 2024.

Sheetz is a gas station/convenience store that offers made to order food and has over 650 locations throughout Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. According to the company, Sheetz provides “kicked-up convenience while being more than just a convenience store. Sheetz is a mecca for people on the go. If you need to refuel your car or refresh your body, we have what you need to keep you moving on to whatever comes next.”

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Police and Family Concerned for 14-Year-Old Missing Since Friday

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Zamya Santiago, a missing 14-year-old from Germantown.

Zamya Santiago was last seen on Friday, June 9, 2023, at approximately 11:45 p.m. on Locbury Court.  Zamya is approximately 5-feet, 1-inches tall and weighs 120 pounds. She has shoulder length brown hair and brown eyes. Zamya has a nose piercing.  It is unknown what clothing she is wearing. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

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