WEST BETHESDA

CRIME WAVE UPDATE

Montgomery County Police 2nd District Commander

Provides New Information on Recent Armed Robberies

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

Would-be armed robbers struck again in the Western Avenue corridor last Friday night, according to Bethesda's 2nd District Police Commander David Falcinelli Wednesday evening.

This group, apparently not related to the masked assailants who have robbed several people over the last month, were quickly taken into custody thanks to new cooperation between MCPD and the Metropolitan Police Department. Teaming up to work on the recent crime wave on both sides of the Maryland-DC border, MCPD tactical officers "observed a group of young black males approaching pedestrians in a manner that would attempt to corral the victim where he would have no escape," said Capt. Falcinelli.

Within DC territory at the time, MPD officers took the suspects into custody, and found they were armed with a pellet gun. They are expected to be charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

However, as I mentioned, these aren't the Park Bethesda robbers. They were masked, and carried a real gun. Or, at least the victim thought it was a real gun.

Falcinelli referred to the ongoing operations in the Westbard area that began following the January 19 Park Bethesda attack.

These include "uniformed patrols along with tactical covert officers," Falcinelli noted. Residents agree that officers have definitely been working every part of the Westbard sector the last few weeks. In addition to whatever undercover operations are taking place, county police cruisers have conveyed a stepped-up police presence in the area.

The MCPD's work seems to be paying off so far, as no additional armed robberies have been publicly reported in the West Bethesda area since their tactical operations began.

Falcinelli believes "multiple groups" may be involved in the recent crime wave, and as a result, both MCPD and MPD "will continue to commit resources to this area for the immediate future."

Despite what Capt. Falcinelli terms a "serious safety issue" in West Bethesda, large portions of the Westwood Shopping Center parking lot remained dark for a sixth night. Directly across the street from the Park Bethesda where the last armed robbery occurred on the Maryland side, the shopping center serves residents of that building. Most of them walk over to shop using the only signal-controlled crosswalk available at Westbard Avenue and Westbard Circle.

To reach the Giant or Rite Aid after crossing there, Park Bethesda residents must walk along the sidewalk or cut across that far end of the Westwood Center parking lot. However, with that end now being unlit at night, it is a dangerous situation for those shoppers, as they must pass through a pitch black area to reach the stores.

Nothing has been expressed to nearby residents by shopping center owner Capital Properties regarding the reduction in night lighting.

The result is two dark areas, and a darkened Westbard Avenue. This gives criminals more places to hide, even as the Westbard robbers remain at large. Certainly it makes the job of the police more difficult, as well, if those areas aren't well-illuminated.

Obviously, lighting is more expensive thanks to the county energy tax, but I would hope that public safety would be the top priority.