WEST BETHESDA

CRIME WAVE UPDATE

No Armed Robberies Reported in Latest

Police Report; Unofficial Reports of Assaults, Robberies

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

Montgomery County Police continue stepped up uniformed patrols and tactical operations in the Westbard area. No armed robberies were reported in that vicinity.

An unofficial crime reporting website lists some crimes not included in the official report.

Remember, the Park Bethesda robbers were 3 individuals, armed with at least one gun, wearing ski masks, and usually assault their victim. A group matching this method of operation has struck other times on both sides of the Western Avenue border since January.

So, we're looking for armed robbery reports primarily, and assaults or robberies in crime reports.

Here is what SpotCrime lists under those categories since my update last Friday:

Assault at 7300 Wisconsin Avenue near Hampden Lane. February 27.

Robbery at 4500 block of Wisconsin Ave. NW, February 27.

Assault at 4900 block of Sentinel Dr., February 27.

"Theft of vehicle" at 5100 block of River Road, February 25.

County police representatives have stressed that online crime reporting websites not affiliated with actual police departments are not necessarily accurate. I simply present these cases so that citizens can be alert to suspicious activity, and continue to be aware of their surroundings while the Park Bethesda robbers are still at large. SpotCrime provides no detail, so there is no positive indication of those robbers' involvement in these cases. However, they fall within the range of criminal activity so far displayed by that operation.

In related news, last evening was the 14th straight night that Capital Properties darkened large portions of the Westwood Shopping Center parking lot, despite recent crime and safety concerns. It is not a winning public relations strategy with the community, and I am aware of no other shopping center in Bethesda having reduced its lighting, despite the county's Draconian energy tax.