Germantown

Police and Family Concerned for Two Missing Juveniles

By Patrick Herron

Tony is believed to be with 15-year-old Fernanda Azevedo, who was last seen on Friday, February 24, 2023, at approximately 6 p.m., at her residence on Bronco Court in Germantown.  Fernanda is approximately 5-feet, 3-inches tall and weights 130 lbs. She has brown eyes and blonde hair. She was last seen wearing a black Adidas jacket and black Adidas pants.  Police and family are concerned for their welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Tony Offutt and Fernanda Azevedo is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301)279-8000. Callers may remain anonymous.

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Beyond MoCo

Beyond MoCo: Maryland Police Release More Details In Road Rage Shooting As Investigators Continue To Seek Information Leading To Suspect

By Patrick Herron

Per the Maryland State Police: As the one-year anniversary of a fatal road rage shooting approaches, investigators release more details and continue to seek the identity of the suspect pictured in video footage captured during the incident. On March 19, 2022, Delonte Hicks, 29, of Washington, D.C.  was shot while driving a tow truck in Prince George’s County. He was transported from the scene to an area hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.  Autopsy results indicate his cause and manner of death as homicide by multiple gunshot wounds.

Investigators believe the suspect vehicle is a 2018 or 2019 Hyundai Sonata.  The color of the vehicle is either black or gray. The suspect appears in the driver’s seat in the photos below.

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Bethesda

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

By MCS Staff

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 10th 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

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Rockville

Rockville Man Charged With Robbery of Cricket Wireless

By Patrick Herron

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.

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Athletes

MoCo Native Kiyomi McMiller Becomes First High School Athlete to Sign NIL Deal with Jordan Brand

By MCS Staff

Kiyomi McMiller, a 5’8” point guard from the class of 2024, has signed a name, image and likeness (NIL) sponsorship with the Jordan Brand. This marks the Jordan Brand’s first high school NIL deal.The Silver Spring, MD–born guard is one of the top-ranked players in her recruiting class. Known for her skilled ball handling and scoring ability. McMiller joins the Jordan Brand as its first high school NIL athlete as she paves the way for the next generation of athletes. She is the Jordan brand’s second NIL athlete joining fellow MoCo native Kiki Rice, who was named the brand’s first NIL athlete in 2022.

McMiller currently plays point guard at Life Center Academy (LCA). The 5’8 junior is only in her first season at the school, where her father is a coach, having previously played at Trinity Collegiate School in Darlington, South Carolina, last season, where she averaged 27.1 points per game as a sophomore. Prior to high school she attended Benjamin Banneker Middle School in Burtonsville. “I’m inspired by both of my parents. I get my creativity from my dad and my grandmother, which carries over to my dribbling,” says McMiller. “I’m always in the gym with my mom and dad working on my game. It’s a dream come true being with the brand that stands for the same passion that I have for the game. I look forward to encouraging basketball players to use their creativity and platform to define their purpose.”

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Bethesda

Helicopter Makes Precautionary Landing in Back Field of North Bethesda Middle School; No Injuries

By MCS Staff

A television news crew in a spare helicopter landed in the back field of North Bethesda Middle School in Bethesda (not near the building or any people) after an issue in flight. A Prince George’s County Police Chopper stopped by to make sure everything was fine after the precautionary landing. Both choppers successfully took off minutes later, when it was safe to do so.

The involved aircraft was a 2010 Robinson R44 Helicopter, per our public safety reporter Cordell Pugh.

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Burtonsville

Maryland’s First Ever Cannabis Lounge to Open Next Week in MoCo

By Patrick Herron

Ceylon House (4009 Sandy Spring Rd, Burtonsville), a first-of-its-kind cannabis lounge in Maryland, will hold its grand opening next Saturday, March 4.  Ceylon House describes itself as an inclusive space for cannabis enthusiasts that is inspired by the tea houses in Sri Lanka. According to its website, “Only Registered Maryland Medical Patients that are older than 21 are allowed to enter for open lounge consumption and public events. Please bring with you your Patient ID number, Government-issued photo ID, and medical cannabis in its original packaging with your patient label still attached.”  Ceylon House does not sell cannabis, but there is a dispensary located directly across from the lounge.

The entry fee for two hours of lounge use is $25. Ceylon House does not serve food or beverages, but vending machines are accesible and customers are able to bring their own food into the lounge. Alcohol and tobacco consumption is prohibited.

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Hillandale

Detectives Investigate Dollar Store Robbery; Surveillance Photos of Suspects Released

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are investigating a commercial robbery of the Dollar City Plus store in the 10110 block of New Hampshire Ave. Detectives have released surveillance photos of the two male suspects and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying them.  On Thursday, February 16, 2023, 3rd District officers responded to the location for the report of a commercial robbery that just occurred.

The investigation by detectives has determined that at approximately 3:40 p.m., the two male suspects entered the store and approached an employee who was working behind the counter. The suspects then implied that they had a weapon and demanded money. One of the suspects went behind the counter and removed an undisclosed amount of money from the cash register. Both suspects then left the scene.  Detectives reviewed the surveillance cameras of the store and obtained a physical description of the suspects.

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Bethesda

Detectives From Special Investigations Unit are Asking For Public’s Assistance in Locating Missing 14-Year Older

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 a missing 14-year-old from Bethesda. Jayleen Chavez was last seen on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at approximately 2 p.m., in the 10300 block of Strathmore Hall St.

Chavez is approximately 5-feet tall and weighs 100 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a red hooded sweatshirt. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

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Entertainment

Free Spring and Summer Concert Series to be Presented by Bloom by Strathmore and Montgomery Recreation

By MCS Staff

Arts access has been an important part of Strathmore’s mission since its founding. In 2016, Strathmore expanded its commitment to taking the arts beyond its walls, particularly in the eastern part of Montgomery County. “Strathmore is such an important part of the identity of Montgomery County, and it is such a special place,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “But we know the arts are not equally accessible to all members of our County. The ‘East County Initiative’ of Bloom by Strathmore is a creative way to bring a variety of music to community members who might otherwise never have this opportunity. We are happy that Strathmore and Montgomery County Recreation are again partnering in this innovative program.”

For more information about the concert series, contact Martita Galindo of Strathmore at 301-581-5249 or [email protected].

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