Armed robber steals pink purse from Motel 6 in Gaithersburg

Montgomery County police are seeking the public's help in identifying and locating the alleged armed robber who detectives say made off with a guest's pink purse. The alleged purse snatcher entered the female victims' hotel room at the Motel 6 at 497 Quince Orchard Road in Gaithersburg at 12:00 AM on Friday, May 26, 2023. Fifteen minutes later, the suspect exited the room, pulling out a knife and snatching a pink purse on the way out.

The two female guests pursued the suspect, and engaged in a physical struggle with him, but he was able to get away and flee the scene on foot. He escaped with the cash that was inside the pink purse. Tom Bodett could not be reached for comment.

Police describe the suspect as "a large White male" in his thirties with short black hair, a black beard, and a tattoo on his right forearm. He was wearing black rimmed-glasses, a multicolor t-shirt, black pants and black/white New Balance shoes.  

Anyone with information about this suspect or this crime is asked to contact Crimes Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect. Callers may remain anonymous.

Will Jawando endorsed by Westminster mayor in Maryland U.S. Senate race

Westminster, Maryland
Mayor Mona Becker

Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando (D - At-Large) has been endorsed by the mayor of Westminster in the Maryland U.S. Senate race, his campaign announced today. Mayor Mona Becker is a member of the faculty, and serves as chair of the Science department, at Westminster High School. Jawando is seeking the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Senator Ben Cardin (D). 

“I am proud to endorse Will Jawando’s candidacy for the U.S. Senate," Becker said in a statement this morning. "All across the country, we have seen vicious attacks on the LGBTQI+ community coming from Republican politicians, and it is putting our community in direct danger. We need a progressive champion in the Senate representing Maryland who will fight like hell for our rights and not let our country slip back away from progress. I am confident that Will is the right person for the job, and I am excited to help him win this race.”

“I have been lucky to partner with Mayor Mona Becker in my capacity as Councilmember, and I am deeply honored that she has decided to endorse my candidacy for the Senate," Jawando said in a statement. "Mayor Becker leads Westminster with compassion, dignity, and grit. From defending LGBTQI+ rights to protecting our environment to so much more, we share the same bold progressive vision for the future of this country. I look forward to working alongside her to build a brighter tomorrow and represent the state of Maryland in Congress.”

Becker's endorsement may give Jawando a boost in the Democratic primary in the western part of the state next year. Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) has been winning the endorsement side of the contest for Cardin's seat in the early stage of the race, having picked up the backing of influential Maryland Congressman Steny Hoyer (D). Other key endorsements Alsobrooks has received include those of Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman, Baltimore-area Congressman Kweisi Mfume, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, State Senator Anthony Muse, Town of Somerset Mayor Jeffrey Slavin and former Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett.

One prize endorsement observers are awaiting the announcement of is that of Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D), who has established relationships with both Jawando and Alsobrooks. A Moore endorsement could raise Jawando's profile statewide tremendously, or seal the race for Alsobrooks, whose toughest competiton so far is ultrawealthy Congressman David Trone (D). Maryland 8th District Congressman Jamie Raskin (D) could scatter all of this political calculation to the wind, however, should he decide to enter the race this summer. Raskin has a national profile, energizes progressives, and has beaten big-spending Trone before at the ballot box.

Wawa "coming soon" in Gaithersburg

Well, you could have fooled me. Wawa has posted a "coming soon" sign at its future Gaithersburg location at 405 S. Frederick Avenue. But there's been little visible progress at the construction site since my last update on April 11. Competitor Sheetz is moving at comparatively lightning speed on its own Gaithersburg store at MD 355 and Montgomery Village Avenue. Wawa fans have been anxiously waiting for this first MoCo location to open since 2019, when a 2020 opening was forecast. Is the lead contractor The Oldest Man?

Lakeforest Mall auction items revealed

The remaining contents of Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg are being auctioned off, and now the items up for bid have been revealed by Capitol Online Auctions. They include a Chevy Silverado pickup truck with a Lakeforest Mall logo on the door, probably the next best thing to a DeLorean as time travel vehicles go. It still runs, and COA says you are welcome to have your mechanic check it out before bidding. The snowplow that goes with it is also up for grabs, if you want to imagine yourself clearing the parking aisles during a ferocious holiday-shopping-season blizzard.

There's a canoe from the food court. The Amongo candy machine. The children's play area with equipment. More mall holiday decorations and trees than you probably have room for.

Several public art pieces from inside the mall are on the block, as well. Birds from the mall's indoor "sky," a leaf chandelier from the food court, leaf-themed paintings and sculptures, and even the "Cafes in the Forest" signs could soon be adorning your Lakeforest Mall-themed mansion.

OK, now let's get serious: The Lakeforest Mall directory signs. Entire kiosks. A giant bear looking for a new home. Unfortunately, it seems that the most-desirable tenant signs have already been removed from the premises, but some of the more mom-and-pop business names are available.

All told, there are twelve pages and over a thousand individual items available in the auction catalog, many in lots. Please note that the auction has moved from late June to early July. The preview date is Wednesday, July 5, 2023. The auction begins closing online the next day. Removal dates are July 10-14.

Photos courtesy Capitol Online Auctions

Update on Miss Toya's Southern Kitchen in Gaithersburg (Photos)

Miss Toya's Southern Kitchen will be opening very soon at 229 Boardwalk Place at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. As you can see, the interior of the fast-casual Cajun restaurant appears complete. Signage has been installed outside on the storefront. Miss Toya's is the latest concept from Chef Jeff and Toya Miskiri, and a great addition to the dining options at Rio.

Baskin Robbins "coming soon" in Montgomery Village

Baskin Robbins is "coming soon" to the Montgomery Village Center, according to a banner posted at the ice cream parlor's future storefront. It will be located just off the Centerway Road extension through the strip center. Baskin Robbins is currently amid the biggest expansion in its history. The new stores opening across North America will feature the chain's new, modern "Moments" interior design. That includes sleeker ice cream dipping cabinets that feature a new "novelties" collection, a colorful wall mural unique to each location, upholstered seating and swivel chairs, and upgraded digital menu boards.

Boston Market closes in Gaithersburg (Photos)

Boston Market has closed at 494-B N. Frederick Avenue at Gaithersburg Square. Signage has been stripped from the building, although a dedication plaque referencing the restaurant's support for women with breast cancer has been left in place for now. You can pretty clearly see the stain of a Boston Market logo shape left behind in the picture below.

Can this closure be blamed on the Montgomery County Council and its anti-business policies? That's not clear in this case. The Boston Market chain is in an expansion mode under new ownership, have declared its plans to open over 100 new stores since it was acquired by Engage Brands, LLC. in 2020. On the other hand, many of the chain's older locations - like this one - had signed expensive leases that the brand has sought to shed to lower its debt load. Without knowing the terms of the lease here, it's not possible to determine if that was the issue, or the County Council's 20-year habit of tightening the screws on low-profit-margin businesses like restaurants.