Aggravated assault at Wheaton bus stop

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an aggravated assault at a bus stop in Wheaton late Sunday night, December 29, 2024. The assault was reported at a bus stop in the 2300 block of Shorefield Road at 11:45 PM Sunday. A firearm was involved in the assault.

Holy Chow to lower menu prices in Kemp Mill

Diners will begin pocketing a little bit more change when ordering at Holy Chow in Kemp Mill next week. The kosher Chinese restaurant announced yesterday that it will be significantly lowering prices on most menu items starting January 1, 2025. Contrary to the argument made by some economists and politicians that food prices, once hiked, cannot come back down, Holy Chow found that its suppliers were now willing to reduce their prices. As a result, some items on the menu will be as much as 20% cheaper than they have been recently. Holy Chow is located at 1331 Lamberton Drive, in the Kemp Mill Center.

Crepe Lena kiosk at Wheaton Plaza for sale

Aspiring restaurateurs have a potential business opportunity in the food court at Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall. The Crepe Lena & Ice Cream kiosk is now available for sale. Whoever buys it will also have to pay the $5000 monthly rent to Westfield. The 200-square-foot kiosk is being offered for $100,000, with all Crepe Lena equipment included. 

The kiosk lease runs until December 31, 2027. According to the sale listing, the current owner is putting the kiosk on the market in order to focus on another business. Crepe Lena employs five people, and the current owner will train the new owner for two weeks to get him or her up to speed.

MD Furniture opens in Wheaton

MD Furniture is now open at Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall at 11160 Veirs Mill Road. The affordable furniture showroom offers free delivery and installation of your purchases. Credit is approved without a credit check, and with no interest. Look for MD Furniture on Level 1 of the mall, outside of JCPenney. 

LA Fitness closing in Wheaton

LA Fitness is closing at 11010 Veirs Mill Road in Wheaton. The gym's last day will be December 30, 2024. LA Fitness closed its Rockville location earlier this year. Although the chain was reported to have bounced back after the pandemic lockdowns, I notice that quite a few LA Fitness locations around the country are closing, or have already closed this fall. LA Fitness has locations in Aspen Hill and Silver Spring (for now).

Armed fugitive arrested at mall in Wheaton

Firearm and ammo found on suspect
arrested at JCPenney

Montgomery County police responded to a report of shoplifting at Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall on Saturday, November 16, 2024. Officers arriving at the scene at JCPenney quickly determined the matter was more serious than the call indicated. The adult male suspect was detained, and a database search indicated he was wanted on a previous 1st-degree burglary charge, for which a warrant had been issued.

Officers searched the suspect, and found he was carrying a loaded firearm. The suspect was taken into custody without incident, 4th District Police Commander Captain David Smith said.

Visionworks closes at Wheaton Plaza

Visionworks has closed at Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall. It appears to be the latest victim of the moribund Montgomery County economy. That's because the Texas-based eyewear chain's overall financial performance has been strong nationwide. Visionworks hasn't closed many stores; in fact, it had a net gain of 28 new store openings last year, for a total of 773 locations. It also ended 2023 as one of the Top 10 optical retailers in America, even finishing ahead of the much-hipper Warby Parker, according to Vision Monday.

Skye Antojitos Hondureños opens in Wheaton

Skye Antojitos Hondureños has opened at 2322 University Boulevard West in Wheaton. This was formerly home to Q'viva. The new restaurant serves authentic and popular Honduran dishes. Early reviews are very positive, giving the restaurant a perfect 5-star rating on Google so far.

Police seeking suspects in Wheaton Safeway assault, attempted robbery

Montgomery County police are seeking the public's help in identifying and locating two suspects in the September 14, 2024 assault and attempted robbery of a Safeway customer in Wheaton. The customer was approached by two women while entering the store that evening. When the customer finished shopping and approached their vehicle in the garage shortly before 9:15 PM, they were followed by the same two female suspects (NOTE: Police did not identify the victim as male or female). The women allegedly hit and kicked the victim, and knocked the victim to the ground.

A witness to the garage attack shouted, and told the assailants to stop. The two suspects then fled out of the garage toward Fern Street on foot. Police describe the suspects as two Black females, approximately 18-years-of-age. 

Suspect #1 is described as being 5'5" to 5'7" tall, with a light complexion and short ponytail. She was wearing a pink sweater, white t-shirt and jeans, and was carrying a pink phone case. Suspect #2 is described as having a thin build, with a dark complexion. She was wearing a black sweater and black bonnet.

Anyone with information regarding this crime or the suspects is urged to visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, MD website at www.crimesolversmcmd.org and click on the “P3 Tips” link or call 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Information leading to an arrest could result in a reward ranging from $250 up to $10,000. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Randolph Crossing Walgreens space available for lease

Walgreens appears to be on the way out at 12222 Veirs Mill Road at the Randolph Crossing shopping center. Its 12000-square-foot end space is being marketed as available for lease by the property owner. This was formerly a Rite Aid store, but was converted to Walgreens when that chain acquired its struggling competitor. Now Walgreens is struggling, and announced earlier this month that it would be closing 1,200 of its stores across America. 

Suspect arrested in Wheaton homicide

Montgomery County Police have arrested a suspect in the fatal stabbing that occurred in Wheaton on Sunday, October 13, 2024. Detectives from the Major Crimes Division have charged 30-year-old Jose Emilio Ortiz Alba with first-degree murder in the death of 45-year-old Hesler Saul Sanchez Cruz. The incident took place in the 11300 block of Fern Street.

According to police, officers were patrolling the area around 3:27 AM, when they discovered a truck on the median of University Boulevard. Upon further investigation, they found the victim suffering from a stab wound. Despite efforts by emergency responders, Sanchez Cruz was pronounced dead at the scene.

Following an investigation, Ortiz Alba was identified as the suspect. An arrest warrant was obtained, and he was taken into custody the same day. The investigation into the incident is ongoing. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070.

Nighttime assault in Wheaton Triangle

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an aggravated assault in the Wheaton Triangle on August 25, 2024. The assault was reported in the 2400 block of Reedie Drive in the "early morning hours," police say. An adult male victim was assaulted by a White male approximately 35 years of age. If you have any information about the suspect or this incident, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Friendship Picnic September 15 in Wheaton

The 10th annual Montgomery County Friendship Picnic will be held this coming Sunday, September 15, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Wheaton Regional Park at 2000 Shorefield Road. Hosted by the Montgomery County Committee Against Hate Violence, the picnic is free and offers a variety of American and international foods. There will also be live music, Zumba, and children's activities, as well as COVID-19 and flu vaccinations. Free satellite parking will be available at the Wheaton Ice Rink at 11717 Orebaugh Avenue, and a free shuttle service will transport you to the picnic site.  

Public meeting scheduled on proposed Martin Street shared-use path in Wheaton

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation has scheduled a public meeting on the proposed Martin Street shared-use path in Wheaton. Martin Street has very little actual paved roadway, but is a right-of-way that connects Arcola Avenue with Henderson Avenue from south to north. MCDOT has proposed a 1,150-foot-long, 10-foot-wide paved pathway. It would include 2-foot-wide buffers on either side, and two local street crossings. A landscape evaluation will determine stormwater improvements such as rain gardens, educational stations on native trees, and plants and lighting. 

The meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 6:30 PM in the Art Room of the Wheaton Community Recreation Center at 11701 Georgia Avenue. If you cannot attend in person, an online option will be available. Register online in advance, and the meeting link will be emailed to you on the day before the meeting. You can also, right now or at any time, provide written comments on the project using this online form. Project documents are available for review on the project website.

Another assault at Wheaton Plaza

Montgomery County police were called to Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall on the night of August 7, 2024, after someone reported having been the victim of an aggravated assault during a shoplifting incident. The crimes took place at Macy's inside the mall around 8:46 PM. Four suspects stole merchandise from the department store, and one of them displayed an unidentified weapon as they attempted to shoplift.

Police describe the Macy's suspects as three Black females in their late 20s, and one Black male of "unknown" age. If you have any information about this incident, call police at (301) 279-8000. This is the second assault to be reported at the mall this month.

Assault at Wheaton Plaza

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall early Tuesday evening, August 13, 2024. The assault was reported at the mall at 6:41 PM Tuesday. An individual was also accused of shoplifting in the same incident.

Dank Exotic Snackz are to be found at Wheaton Plaza (Photos)

Find imported snacks from around the world in one place at Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall at 11160 Veirs Mill Road: the Dank Exotic Snackz vending machine. A number of the packages inside may sport familiar logos or design elements, but look closer and you will see they are flavors - and in some cases textures - not available in the United States. Dank Exotic Snackz DMV has vending machines at Potomac Mills Mall, and at the Tanger Outlets mall at National Harbor in gorgeous Prince George's County. Look for this one in Wheaton outside of Target.

When will Tropical Storm Debby impact eastern Montgomery County?

Tropical Storm Debby is currently 471 miles from Montgomery County, Maryland, which will feel the former hurricane's impacts over the next three days. The storm will affect the entire Washington, D.C. metro area from around 8:00 PM Thursday night to 1:00 AM on Saturday morning. Accuweather is currently forecasting a total rainfall of 4 to 8 inches, with peak wind gusts of 40 MPH. The peak of the storm is expected to be from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Friday, when the most rain will fall on the area.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has declared a State of Preparedness ahead of the storm. "The safety of Marylanders is our top priority," Moore said in a statement. "By declaring a State of Preparedness, I am directing the Department of Emergency Management to coordinate the comprehensive preparation of State government ahead of potential impacts from the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby. Residents and visitors should monitor local weather forecasts, remain vigilant, and be prepared to follow safety instructions from local emergency officials."

Remember to keep phones and devices charged ahead of the storm. Now is the time to check batteries in your flashlights, and purchase additional batteries. Have a small transistor radio to monitor emergency bulletins and weather conditions if you lose power. And make sure your gas tank is at least half-full.

Tropical Storm Debby is currently approaching the coast of South Carolina. Its maximum sustained wind speed is 60 MPH, according to the National Weather Service, and it is moving northeast at 5 MPH. The storm is blamed for the deaths of six people in the southern United States so far.

Images courtesy NOAA, Office of Gov. Wes Moore

Wow Games opens in Wheaton

Wow Games is now open at 11160 Veirs Mill Road in Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall. They have new games and old games, game systems and all the needed accessories, trading card games, anime merchandise, and more. The store has already amassed a perfect 5-star rating on Yelp. Look for Wow Games on Level 1 of the mall, near Hollister and Charlotte Russe.

Shop Q now open at Wheaton Plaza

Shop Q is now open at Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall. The woman's apparel boutique is located across from the food court. Shop Q promises "you’re guaranteed to find something to wear without breaking your wallet’s heart. Shop Q carries only the highest quality, affordable women’s clothes, shoes, and accessories. We believe in providing women with clothes that are both affordable and stylish. You should look and feel like a million bucks without having to spend a million bucks. We can’t wait to help you elevate your style game."