Strong-arm robbery in Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg City police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. The robbery and assault were reported in the 100 block of Main Street at 3:00 PM Tuesday. That is at Kentlands Place.

Armed carjacking in Germantown

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed carjacking in Germantown on November 12, 2024. The carjacking took place in the 13300 block of Dovedale Way "in the early morning hours," police said. Two suspects displayed an unspecified weapon, and took the adult male victim's vehicle. Police describe the suspects only as "2 males, no further descriptions." If you have any information about this incident, or that could lead to the arrest of the suspects, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Indecent exposure at Lakeforest Transit Center

Montgomery County police responded to a report of indecent exposure at the Lakeforest Transit Center in Montgomery Village on the afternoon of November 24, 2024. The incident was reported at 3:30 PM Sunday. An individual was also allegedly in possession of an unspecified weapon. The transit center is located at 9670 Lost Knife Road.

Thanksgiving burger this week only at Dogfish Head Alehouse in Gaithersburg

Give thanks for the Thanksgiving Burger, the appropriate Burger of the Week at Dogfish Head Alehouse at 800 W. Diamond Avenue in Gaithersburg this week. A 4 oz. beef patty is topped with turkey, melted provolone cheese, homemade stuffing, and sweet-tart cranberry sauce. For $17, it comes with a side of Beach Fries. Pairing the burger with a pint of Punkin' Ale is the recommendation of the house. 

Photo courtesy Dogfish Head Alehouse

Armed robbery at Montgomery Village smoke shop

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery at a smoke shop in Montgomery Village on November 8, 2024. At 4:11 PM, the suspect entered Tobacco & Vape Outlet at 8407 Snouffer School Road. He allegedly displayed an unspecified weapon, and stole merchandise. Police describe the suspect only as a Black male of unknown age. If you can identify this suspect, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Gaithersburg man charged in fatal auto accident

A Gaithersburg man is facing charges in the July 20, 2024 crash that killed a Germantown man, Montgomery County police announced today. Agustin E. Jaramillo Lopez, 45, has been charged with negligent manslaughter by vehicle after his pickup truck rear-ended a Nissan Altima driven by Isaac Akomanyi, 39, of Germantown. Akomanyi later died at a local hospital.

Jaramillo Lopez' blood alcohol content was recorded at 0.159 one hour after the collision, police say, nearly twice the legal limit. He is currently being held without bond. His mugshot was not released by police.

Police searching for Montgomery Village attempted carjacking suspect

Montgomery County police are seeking the public's help in identifying and locating a man they say attempted to carjack a vehicle in Montgomery Village on the evening of November 4, 2024. Police say the incident occurred at 8:10 PM at the intersection of Montgomery Village Avenue and Midcounty Highway. Detectives describe the suspect as a Hispanic male with a beard and mustache, wearing a white hoodie, jeans, and a puffer jacket (gotta keep warm while carjacking, after all). They have released video of the suspect.

Germantown police standoff with knife-wielding man ends peacefully

A police standoff with a knife-wielding man ended peacefully Sunday, November 17, 2024, Montgomery County police announced this morning. Marques Buford, 49, of Germantown was taken into custody outside of his apartment complex in the 12300 block of Silvergate Way. The incident began after Buford's wife called 911 to report that her husband allegedly would not allow her to leave their apartment at 7:19 AM. A database scan indicated that Buford had a history of "dangerous behavior," police said.

When officers arrived at the apartment property, they encountered Buford outside, wielding a butcher knife. They attempted to use non-lethal means to take him into custody, but Buford was allegedly wearing a paintball mask and many layers of clothing, which rendered those efforts ineffective. Officers then called in an Emergency Response Team, and a S.W.A.T. team.

A trained negotiator with the 5th District was successful in de-escalating the situation to the point that, when Buford attempted to flee on foot, officers were able to take him into custody without injury to any party involved. 

Buford was evaluated at a local hospital, and then transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he was charged with false imprisonment. He is currently being held without bond.

Assault at library in Gaithersburg

Montgomery County police were called to a library in Gaithersburg on Thursday, November 14, 2024, after someone reported having been the victim of a 2nd-degree assault there. The assault was reported at the Quince Orchard Library at 15831 Quince Orchard Road at 2:30 PM Thursday. That is across the street from Quince Orchard High School.

Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls celebrates Gaithersburg grand opening today with 20%-off

Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls at 201-A Boardwalk Place at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg is celebrating its Grand Opening today, Friday, November 15, 2024. Starting at 10:30 AM this morning, menu prices will be 20%-off all day, today only. Mason's opened earlier this fall at the Peterson Cos. development. 

Virginia beats Maryland again, wins $1.3 billion manufacturing facility & 2015 jobs

Could Maryland and Montgomery County use a $1.3 billion corporate investment, 2015 high-wage jobs, and a major infusion of tax revenue? Yes! Did we win the 500,000-square-foot Microporous manufacturing facility? No! But Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin will give you three guesses as to who did. Yet again, our rival across the Potomac River has bested us in the economic development sweepstates.

Microporous, a leading manufacturer of battery separators, will construct the $1.3 billion facility in Berry Hill, Virginia. The factory will create 2015 new, high-wage jobs, and will provide more freight traffic for the Port of Virginia. Tennessee-based Microporous was founded as the American Rubber Company, which patented the first rubber battery separator in 1934. Today, their products are in high demand, as adoption of electric vehicles explodes in many countries around the world, even if demand for EVs still lags in the United States. Virginia's port will indeed see a boost in outbound traffic as a result, as Microporous is the only manufacturer of rubber battery separators used in electric automobiles and mobility devices.

“This historic $1.35 billion investment by Microporous in Pittsylvania County marks a new chapter in Virginia's incredible advanced manufacturing story,” Youngkin said in a statement yesterday. “This project not only brings over 2,000 new jobs to Southside Virginia, but also positions the Commonwealth at the forefront of our nation’s resurgence in manufacturing. Microporous' decision to establish their new facility here underscores Virginia's competitive advantages and our commitment to leading the way in innovative industries.” Youngkin's office identified North Carolina as the other finalist for the facility; it's unclear if Maryland even attempted to pursue the opportunity, or was once again asleep at the switch.

“It is with great pleasure and excitement that we welcome Microporous to the Southern Virginia Megasite and Pittsylvania County," Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors Chairman Darrell Dalton said Wednesday. “Microporous brings a new level of technological advancement to our business community as well as high paying jobs that offer another opportunity for our young people to remain and raise families in and near their hometowns. Microporous will also provide the County with added revenue to better serve our citizens. We look forward to many years of Microporous’ growth and success and Pittsylvania County is honored to be part of that journey.” 

Photos courtesy Office of Gov. Glenn Youngkin

Woman assaulted, robbed in Shady Grove Professional Park

A woman was the victim of three robbers at Shady Grove Professional Park in the early morning hours of November 2, 2024, Montgomery County police report. The woman was in the commercial townhome development in the 9000 block of Shady Grove Court on the border of Gaithersburg and Rockville when she was approached by three suspects. They allegedly assaulted her, and stole money and unspecified property from her. Police describe the suspects only as a Black male, and two Black females. If you can identify any of these suspects, or have any information about this incident, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Armed robbery reported at Germantown school

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery at a school in Germantown this past Friday evening, November 8, 2024. The robbery was reported at Waters Landing Elementary School at 13100 Waters Landing Drive at 7:17 PM Friday. A firearm was the weapon employed in the alleged robbery.

Assault at self-storage facility in Gaithersburg

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an assault at a self-storage facility in Gaithersburg early yesterday afternoon, November 10, 2024. The assault was reported at Self Storage Plus at 9107 Gaither Road at 12:27 PM Sunday. 

Maryland Attorney General encourages racist text recipients to report messages

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown issued a statement last night encouraging residents to report to law enforcement, and to civil rights and hate crime offices in the state, racist text messages that have allegedly been received by Black residents following Election Day. The general message of the texts, which have several versions, order the recipient to "board a bus" to be transported to a "plantation" for work "as a slave," Brown said. Students were among those who have reported receiving the message, Brown added. 

"The text messages appear to be part of a nationwide campaign targeting Black people in the wake of the election," Brown's statement read. “These messages are horrific, unacceptable, and will not be tolerated. If you have been sent one of these texts, I am asking for you to please come forward and report it,” Brown said. “I am committed to protecting the rights of all Marylanders. There is no home for hate in Maryland.”

If you have received a text message like this, Brown advised informing your local law enforcement agency, and filing a report with the following two offices: The Civil Rights Division of the Attorney General's office, and the Maryland Commission on Hate Crimes Response and Prevention.

 

Strong-arm robbery in Montgomery Village

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery in Montgomery Village last night, November 6, 2024. The robbery was reported in a commercial parking lot in the 19300 block of Montgomery Village Avenue at 7:10 PM Wednesday. That is in the vicinity of the Montgomery Village Center.

Fairfax County beats Montgomery County again, winning CMC Electronics facility

Montgomery County has suffered another loss to Northern Virginia in the competition to win a new research and development facility from CMC Electronics. The avionics manufacturer chose Reston, Virginia for its new office and R&D facility, which will bring 89 high-wage jobs to Fairfax County at the start, with more to be added in the future. Virginia Delegate Karen Keys-Gamarra confirmed that the finalists in the race were Virginia, Maryland, Alabama, and Florida. On a positive note, at least Maryland was engaged in this contest - and in the running until the end - rather than being asleep at the switch.

It's hard not to notice the proximity of CMC's future facility site in Reston to Dulles International Airport. Dulles is the only airport in our region with the flight frequency and international destinations that meet the demands of international businesspeople. Montgomery County and Maryland continue to cut off their ideological nose to spite their economic development face, by blocking construction of a new Potomac River crossing from the I-270 corridor to Dulles.

Pierre Rossignol, President, CMC Electronics

"We are thrilled to be joining the vibrant Reston community and are excited about the opportunities this expansion brings—for our team, our partners, and our customers," CMC Electronics President Pierre Rossignol said in a statement. "We look forward to continuing our mission of pushing the boundaries of avionics excellence." The Montreal-based firm has an existing American facility in Sugar Grove, Illinois. CMC stands for Canadian Marconi Company; the company's founder was someone you might have heard of:  Guglielmo Marconi. The brilliant Italian inventor founded the firm in 1903.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin

“CMC Electronics' decision to invest $5 million and establish its new facilities in Fairfax County underscores Virginia's position as a leader in aerospace innovation,” Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin said in a statement from his office. “This creation of new high-tech jobs demonstrates the strength of our Commonwealth's talent pipeline and our commitment to fostering cutting-edge industries. Virginia's pro-business climate and strategic location continue to attract global companies like CMC Electronics, further solidifying our role in shaping the future of aviation technology.”

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay

“I am thrilled that CMC Electronics has chosen Reston as the location for their U.S. expansion and continued global growth,” Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay said. “CMC Electronics choosing Fairfax County is yet another testament to how business-friendly policies, a robust talent pipeline that supports innovation, and our unmatched quality of life is a winning combination for maintaining our status as the premiere destination for starting, locating, and growing your business.” 

Gaithersburg woman killed her mother, police allege

Montgomery County police have arrested a Gaithersburg woman after she called 911 yesterday, November 4, 2024, and allegedly declared to the dispatcher that she had killed her mother. Officers responding to the scene at 9:53 AM Monday found the body of Guichun Hu, 63, in a field outside her home in the 19400 block of Olive Tree Way in Gaithersburg. Her daughter, Tiffany Zhang, 29, met police outside the home and was taken into custody without incident. She allegedly confessed to having killed her mother on Sunday during her 911 call. 

Tiffany Zhang has been charged with 1st-degree murder. Her mugshot has not been released by police.

Robbery at knifepoint at Gaithersburg bus stop

A pedestrian was robbed at knifepoint at a bus stop in Gaithersburg last Friday night, November 1, 2024. The robbery took place at a bus stop at Killarney Lane and Muddy Branch Road at 10:47 PM. That is by the Montgomery Club apartments and Interstate 270.

Assault at Montgomery Village grocery store

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an assault at a supermarket in Montgomery Village Wednesday morning, October 30, 2024. The assault was reported at a grocery store in the 20000 block of Goshen Road at 7:06 AM Wednesday. There is a Giant store on that block. An individual was also accused of shoplifting in the same incident.