Who are the criminals who have been breaking into cars at a stepped-up pace inside the parking garage at the new Westbard Square development in Bethesda, and where exactly are they coming from? Shoppers parking in the garage sometimes return to find items have been stolen from inside their vehicles. The most recent theft was reported two days ago on April 1, 2025, at 1:39 PM. A number of the incidents have taken place in the afternoons, including one case where a vehicle was broken into, and two students' backpacks with laptop computers inside were stolen.
So far in 2025, victims have called the police to report thefts from their vehicles inside this garage on April 1, March 27, twice on March 24, March 6, twice on March 4, February 28, February 21, February 20, and February 10. Last year, I received 3 emails from readers who were either directly impacted by a theft from their vehicle, or knew of a victim.
The incidents are obviously not on a daily basis, and property owner Regency Centers has a security officer on patrol. It's unclear how many of the theft cases have been closed, but it is puzzling where these thieves are suddenly coming from geographically, how they are making their getaways, and why such thefts from vehicles have increased in a low-crime neighborhood.
Now that a shooting has taken place in the same vicinity early last Saturday morning with two victims being injured, in which only luck prevented any passing drivers or pedestrians from being struck by what some residents have described as 20-30 rounds being fired, the public needs more transparency about where these criminals are coming from. And, clearly, more police patrols are required in the Westbard area. The Montgomery County Council has been asleep at the switch again. Maybe Councilmembers should spend less time coddling criminals and offering mere words at "public safety meetings," and actually do something about the shortage of police officers they created. Heckuva job, Brownie!
26 comments:
Robert, absolutely spot on. Instead of being the "gas leaf-blower police" and worrying about other nonsense, how about come out with a full-throated sign of support for law enforcement? And yes, recruit, recruit, recruit. And John McCarthy, who lets these perps walk right out of the lock up, is running again and will win. He's had the top job as county prosecutor for years. No one even knows who the new MoCo Police chief is. Are they ever in front of a camera? Does any news outlet ever cover this? Regency execs must be going nuts. Their brand-new center is getting off to a horribly start which is a gross understatement.
The ones in charge are those who were never told no growing up. Democrats are just like little children who have been given keys to their parents sports car and don't understand that power comes with responsibility.
Put me on patrol see what happens. Soon enough citizens will start fighting back.
I am not insinuating that the Security detail in this case are in on it, but one has to consider that as a possible factor. Theft has become a 'sport' particularly with the catch and release practices everyone has come to expect. Much theft is opportunistic but these types appear better coordinated. It's simple, there is enough technology to catch these perps at least 'after the fact.' Is it not surprising that the very same thugs taking advantage aren't the same we're hiring?
And where are the law abiding, crime stopping Repubes, their trunks in the sand or too drunk with Conald Donald fever to step up. Haven't seen a viable elephant candidate in decades.
I'm sure you will be at the security office first thing in the morning to apply.
"Moribard"
7:12: There have been plenty of viable alternatives - Democratic, Republican, and Green. I could even put together a better Council from the Democrats who ran but didn't win in previous years alone. Highly-qualified candidates, but they weren't part of the Dem faction that is controlled by the cartel.
7:12 lives in an alternate universe where they're never responsible for the outcomes of their own policies, (unless they turn out well which is like eye teeth). Not a good look try to blame Republicans who don't have any say in MC or MD.
Why are you targeting Westbard? Looking at the crime map, there are certainly areas with far more activity.
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/pol/crime-data.html#crime-map
Using this platform to target the Montgomery County Council (which I believe you tried to run unsuccessfully for) seems ridiculous. All this complaining, when the amount spent on police (both patrol and support has gone up markedly). The officer to support rathio remains constant.
To top it off, you have the temerity to complain about taxes which go to spending on the increase in officers. You need to get a grip, a better control of the facts, and stop picking and choosing areas to complain about (Westbard) that are showing less activity than other areas.
Fiscal Year Total Budget Personnel Costs Percentage of Budget Full-Time Positions Part-Time Positions
FY20 (Approved) $295,327,329 ~$245,710,725 83.21% 1,905 199
FY21 (Approved) $281,446,640 ~$233,714,816 83.04% 1,832 206
FY22 (Approved) $282,951,484 ~$238,878,670 84.43% 1,803 *
FY23 (Approved) $296,501,578 ~$251,046,504 84.67% 1,826 220
FY24 (Approved) $312,520,754 ~$265,884,406 85.07% (assumed) * *
FY25 (Approved) $329,427,148 ~$280,252,987 85.07% 1,802 202
FY26 (Recommended) $352,670,765 ~$297,759,653 84.43% 1,831 227
"Who are the criminals who have been breaking into cars at a stepped-up pace inside the parking garage at the new Westbard Square development in Bethesda, and where exactly are they coming from?"
They don't live in Edgemoor. They didn't pass the Bar Exam. They don't go to Farmer's Markets. I'll keep going with this...
Need additional cameras and security guards. When they're caught, lock them up for 10 years.
The garage is "thief friendly" by design.
9:21: It's the criminals who are suddenly targeting Westbard, and the crime spike needs to be addressed.
I've already debunked the talking point about funding - you can increase the amount, but if it's not enough to provide the human and equipment resources required, it's "defunding the police." Not only did the Council defund the the police during the George Floyd Revolution, as Eleanor Holmes Norton correctly called it, but it also made clear its anti-police stance - which led to higher crime, officer retirements, and poor recruiting totals.
You're correct that I will continue to use my platform to criticize our corrupt and incompetent County Council. No other media outlet can do it, apparently.
You better believe I have the temerity to complain about taxes. Nearly half of revenue being wasted on cronies in MCPS overseeing a failing school system. Failing, despite getting more money every year. The rest is going to the Council's cartel cronies in the "non-profit" and development fields, from which a sizeable portion winds up back in the pockets and campaign coffers of the Councilmembers themselves.
Can't wait for the Washington Post investigation of that. The fact that they can't report on that and other scandals tells you everything you need to know about cartel control.
Meanwhile, all of the revenue lost from the Council's economic development failure has to be made up by residents, through the immoral property tax increases you love so much.
Look up Bell, California to see what happens to public officials where they have similar tax-and-spend corruption, but a real media and justice system: orange jumpsuits for all!
"Maybe Councilmembers should spend less time . . ."
Like Aerosmith said: Dream On!
Not to worry, the Public Safety (PS) Committee is on it!
2:48 - Robert, 💯% correct on all counts. Excellent!
And also got a prize for merely participating.
Exactly. More Vigilante type of enforcement & retribution. Draconian measures need to be taken. All you casual & basic people out there wanna participate??
Will be much safer one all the police officers, fire fighters.and other first responders move into their new $1 million townhomes in the community. Along with the shopping basket collectors and butchers at Giant.
6:48. My daughter worked at a local Best Buy for a while as a college student, here locally. It was understood by a great many employees that a certain 'element' would coordinate items not being scanned at the register then certain guards would check them thru the 'receipt check' or the sensors and 'out the door' would go the perp and now stolen item. *everyday, every shift* she worked this would happen. Needless to say she was ineligible, but I'm confident that she'd never play into this 'shrinkage' game.
The butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker. . .
I'm with you. Sick and tired of this ****.
These "kids" need a good butt kicking.
Not insinuating but insinuating… fascinating.
Security Guard at Westbard? I go there four days a week and have never seen one.
Thanks for the good reporting Robert.
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