THEFT SPREE CONTINUES IN WEST BETHESDA, ASSAULT AT BETHESDA COUNTRY CLUB, DRUG ARREST IN GROSVENOR - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

The theft spree continues in western Bethesda, with thieves returning to Sumner and Green Acres, and hitting new targets, like Kenwood and Somerset.

A separate wave of vehicle break-ins occurred on December 18 in White Flint, according to crime data. An assault was reported at Bethesda Country Club on Bradley Boulevard the same day, as well as a drug arrest in Grosvenor.

Here is a list of crimes reported across Bethesda on December 18 and 19:

December 18

Assault. Bethesda Country Club.

Theft. 7700 block Wisconsin Avenue (downtown Bethesda).

Theft. Bethesda Metro Center 1.

Theft. 4900 block Hampden Lane.

Burglary. 5300 block McKinley Street (NIH area).

Theft. 5200 block Chamberlin Avenue (Kenwood).

Theft. 5800 block Warwick Place (Somerset).

Burglary. 5100 block Dorset Avenue (Kenwood).

Theft. 4400 block Willard Avenue (Friendship Heights).

Theft. 5300 block Western Avenue (Mazza Gallerie area).

Vehicle burglary. 8900 block Ewing Drive (Bradley Hills area).

Theft. 4800 block Bayard Boulevard (Green Acres).

Drug arrest. 10400 block Grosvenor Place.

Vehicle burglary. 11300 block Orleans Way (White Flint).

Theft. 6100 block Tuckerman Lane (Tilden area).

Vehicle burglary. Orleans Terrace (White Flint).

Theft. 11300 block Woodglen Drive (White Flint).

Vehicle burglary. 11600 block Nebel Street (White Flint).

Theft. 11500 block Rockville Pike (White Flint).

Theft. 7100 block Democracy Boulevard (Westfield Montgomery Mall area).

Theft. 7100 block Westlake Terrace (Westfield Montgomery Mall area).

December 19

Theft. 7400 block Wisconsin Avenue (downtown Bethesda).

Theft. 8000 block Wisconsin Avenue (downtown Bethesda).

Vehicle burglary. 4800 block Cordell Avenue.

Theft. 4900 block Auburn Avenue (downtown Bethesda).

Drug arrest. MD 355 at Cedar Lane.

Vehicle burglary. 5200 block Elsmere Avenue (Cedar Lane area).

Vehicle burglary. 4700 block Merivale Road (Green Acres vicinity, River Road corridor).

Vehicle burglary. 6000 block Roosevelt Street (Bradmoor).

Theft. 5100 block Westpath Way (Sumner).

Theft. Ericsson Road (Cabin John/Glen Echo area).

Vehicle theft. 11400 block Rockville Pike (White Flint).

Theft. 10400 block Auto Park Avenue (Westfield Montgomery Mall area).

THEFTS CONTINUE IN BETHESDA NEIGHBORHOODS NEAR MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Three more thefts were reported in neighborhoods along Massachusetts Avenue in Bethesda on December 17. One was in Sumner on Baltan Road, which has already been hit in this crime spike. The second and third were in the Green Acres/Glen Cove area. Since my last crime update, another theft was also reported not far from Baltan, in the 5100 block of Westpath Way.

If you live in the area, make sure your car and home doors are locked, and that all valuables are removed from the vehicle cabin.

Here is a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on December 17:

Vehicle burglary. 5000 block Earlston Drive (Glen Cove area, Massachusetts Ave. corridor).

Theft. 5100 block Baltan Road (Sumner).

Vehicle burglary. 4900 block Bayard Boulevard (Green Acres).

Arrest for weapons offense. 4400 block East-West Highway.

Burglary. 4600 block Norwood Road (Chevy Chase along Green Mile).

Theft. 6900 block Maple Avenue (Chevy Chase, just outside downtown Bethesda).

Vehicle burglary. 5800 block Plainview Road (Whitman HS area).

Theft. 4900 block Strathmore Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. 11100 block Rokeby Avenue/4700 Argyle Avenue (Garrett Park area).

Theft. 11300 block Rockville Pike (White Flint).

Vehicle burglary. 11400 block Commonwealth Drive (Tilden area).

Theft. Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Theft. Home Depot, 7111 Westlake Terrace.

VEHICLE THEFT AT BETHESDA ES, 3 ASSAULTS & MORE - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here is a list of crimes reported around Bethesda on September 7-8, 2013, according to crime data:

September 7

Theft. 5300 block Westbard Avenue.

Assault. 4900 block Earlston Drive (Green Acres area).

Assault/rape. Suburban Hospital. No details given, but remember that a sexual assault reported at the hospital does not necessarily mean the incident occurred at the hospital.

Assault. 4500 block Middleton Lane (downtown Bethesda area).

September 8

Vehicle theft. Bethesda ES.

Vehicle burglary. 11500 block Rockville Pike (White Flint area).

BETHESDA POST OFFICE MEETING PRODUCES MANY QUESTIONS, FEW ANSWERS

"I KNOW NOTHING!"

Certainly Sgt. Schultz could have appreciated last night's United States Postal Service public meeting on the future Bethesda post office, which will be located... uh, can I get back to you on that?

Long rumored to be a retail post office in the 20816 zip code, and without PO boxes, the project is now even more vague.

Richard Hancock, a USPS real estate specialist who arrived from North Carolina to discuss the planned facility, conceded he was unfamiliar with Bethesda's zip codes and streets. But Hancock assured residents attending the meeting that he will quickly get up to speed.

Hancock said he would know what zip code(s) are under consideration by Monday. As of last night, the project has a one-sentence objective: a 2000 square foot retail post office in Bethesda. He also said there will be PO boxes in the store.

Unfortunately, it sounds as if the mistakes of the new 6900 Wisconsin Avenue post office could be repeated again. Hancock said parking would be ideal, but is not a requirement. Likewise, the disability access could be legally and technically ADA-compliant, but not functionally accessible, which is what happened at 6900 Wisconsin.

BCC Regional Services Center director Ken Hartman said he had sent a letter earlier in the day emphasizing disability access as a priority to the USPS.

Hancock said he knew absolutely nothing about the process and decisions reached in the 6900 project. He insisted things would be better this time.

One resident questioned that. She carried with her last night her notes from the same type of meeting regarding the 2011 search that ended with the selection of 6900.
She said many of the promises made by Hancock were made by USPS at that earlier meeting, and that USPS broke all of them.

Hancock replied that this case will be "different," with him in charge.

Hancock said loading docks and truck access would be essential to efficient operation. Essentially, he was describing the now-demolished Arlington Road post office. I said to him that, if that's so important, why did USPS tear down an existing facility with those features? Economic pressures, he replied.

We really have 3 major needs for postal facilities in Bethesda:

1. Walkable location near the center of town.

2. Surface parking near the door for the disabled and elderly.

3. Drive-up drop boxes.

Hancock says he expects the new post office to open one year from now.

ANOTHER STOLEN CAR IN BETHESDA - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Yet another car has been reported stolen in Bethesda. This one was taken from the 9200 block of Bulls Run Parkway on Wednesday, May 8, according to crime data.

Here are other notable crimes reported this week:

MAY 7:

Theft. 10400 block Old Georgetown Road.

Theft. 4800 block Fairmont Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 7700 block Woodmont Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 4400 block Montgomery Avenue.

MAY 8:

Theft from vehicle. 4700 block Sangamore Road.

Theft from vehicle. 8800 block Hempstead Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 5700 block Roosevelt Street.

Theft. 4800 block Moorland Lane.

Theft. Walter Johnson HS.

Theft. Home Depot.

Theft. 4700 block Montgomery Lane.

HIGH ACRES BETHESDA TOWNHOMES DEVELOPER NIXES UNDERGROUND PARKING GARAGE, CLUBHOUSE FROM SITE PLAN (PHOTOS)

Yet another stalled project from the pre-recession real estate bubble is coming back to life in Bethesda.

The luxury High Acres townhouse development on Brookes Lane, adjacent to the expanding intelligence campus on Sangamore Road, will be an exclusive community of 12 4-story townhomes. Currently, the lot is partially occupied by a relatively-modest white mansion. That home will remain, and share a private cul-de-sac off of Brookes with the new residents.

Also fronting on MacArthur Boulevard, I imagine the top floor windows could have a nice view of the Potomac River, but obviously, I can't confirm that at the moment!

With a very safe neighborhood and cul-de-sac (especially for kids playing outdoors), these homes would be ideal for wealthy professionals, particularly if they work at the campus next door. They will also be within walking distance of Ride On bus service to the Friendship Heights Metro station, and the Shops at Sumner Place.

The developer is requesting 2 significant changes in the 2007 site plan. One will delete the intriguing underground garage concept in favor of individual above-ground garages.

Originally, the homes were to share a sizable garage structure beneath all 12 homes. Atop part of this structure, was to be a clubhouse with fitness center and swimming pool.

But nixing the garage meant nixing the clubhouse, too. Which eliminates some very appealing amenities, and Thurston Howell III probably wouldn't be pleased.  The project also eliminates a significant amount of green space on a property with significant rainwater run-off.

ASSAULT AT WESTLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL, ANOTHER STOLEN CAR IN BETHESDA - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

A second car was stolen in Bethesda Thursday, April 18, according to crime data.

One vehicle was stolen in Pooks Hill, as I reported yesterday. The second was taken from the 5200 block of Nahant Street, in the Sumner neighborhood off Massachusetts Avenue.

Also on Thursday, a second non-auto theft was reported in the 5100 block of Marlyn Drive, a short distance from the stolen car incident in the same neighborhood.

An unusually-busy day of crime along Massachusetts Avenue was capped off by an assault at Westland Middle School, also reported on Thursday.

HOW MANY INCHES OF SNOW WILL BETHESDA, DC AREA GET FROM WINTER STORM SATURN?

Bethesda is under a Winter Storm Watch right now. The sun is shining, but there's a wintry chill in the air.

Winter Storm Saturn is on its way to the DC area.

How many inches of snow will end up falling on Bethesda tonight and on Wednesday?

The average prediction is 5-6 inches. Some forecasters say it could be as many as 8-12.

But here's an intriguing prediction: the now-famous Euro Model is saying the DC area will receive a 1-3" accumulation. This contradicts the majority of forecasts. Yet it is intriguing because the Euro Model was dead-right about the hurricane last fall.

The fact is, nobody knows. But conditions are right for up to a foot of snow.  And it is supposed to be a wet, heavy snow. That means more effort to shovel and plow for humans and machines.

Even though the Euro Model sounds unlikely, you can't rule out the data from a model that has been accurate so many times.

The fact that temperatures will rise above freezing on Wednesday could certainly reduce the potential total accumulation.

But that ice and slush will freeze solid after dark again, so watch out.

Today, expect light showers by 5:00 PM, changing over to snow after dark.  Accumulation of 1-2" possible tonight. Winds gusting to 30 MPH.

Wednesday, heavy showers and heavy snow. Accumulation of 5-12" possible through Thursday morning. Winds will gust to 35 MPH. Visibility could be affected if snowfall is heavy, due to winds.

Metro and Metrobus are total wildcards in recent years, in contrast to their past practice of operation during all but the worst snows in prior decades.

Stay tuned here and at @BethesdaRow on Twitter for updates throughout the storm!

EYA OPENS LITTLE FALLS PLACE TOWNHOMES SALES OFFICE IN DOWNTOWN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Bethesda developer EYA has opened a sales office on Hampden Lane for the future Bethesda townhouse community of Little Falls Place.

The first homes went on sale last week, although construction is not yet finished.

These photos will give you an idea of what to expect if you are shopping for a $1M+ townhome in Bethesda.  Little Falls Place will be located off of Little Falls Parkway, and Butler Road, off of River Road.

WINTER STORM IAGO APPROACHING BETHESDA, 1-3" RAIN AND/OR SNOW ACCUMULATION POSSIBLE IN DC AREA

BETHESDA STORM CENTER:
IAGO SNOW UPDATE

While some forecasts have overhyped the snowstorm expected to hit the DC area today, you can count on slick roads during the evening rush hour tonight.

Federal agencies in the Washington, DC, area are OPEN and employees have the option for UNSCHEDULED LEAVE or UNSCHEDULED TELEWORK, according to the OPM website.

Expect rain showers this morning, and a rain/snow mixture early in the afternoon.  Temperatures are not currently forecast to drop below freezing tonight. Any concentrated snowfall will have difficulty sticking if that holds true.

In the worst case scenario, snowfall accumulation should total no more than 1-3" by evening.

Snow should taper off after 9 PM.

This is more likely a "be careful driving" storm than a "clean out the grocery store" blizzard.

Stay tuned here and on Twitter at @BethesdaRow for Bethesda weather updates as warranted.

THIEVES TARGET BETHESDA NEIGHBORHOODS BETWEEN GOLDSBORO AND THE BELTWAY - BETHESDA CRIME REPORT

4 THEFTS IN

A WEEK

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

One or more thieves is/are targeting victims in neighborhoods along River Road between Goldsboro Road and I-495.  While the number of incidents (4 over 7 days) is not as high as some other theft sprees this year, the locations are close enough to suggest these folks are working that area regularly.

Play it safe, and lock those car doors.  Check if you have any valuables anywhere within the cabin that are visible through the windows.  If so, take them inside your home, or at least put them into the glove compartment or trunk.

Here are the locations where thefts have been reported in that area:

October 2:

Theft.  8300 block of Burdette Road.

October 5:

Theft from vehicle.  6200 block of Redwing Court.

October 7:

Theft.  Goldleaf Court.

Theft.  7600 block of Royal Dominion Drive.

ROBBERY ON BETHESDA RESIDENTIAL STREET - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

SECOND MASS. AVE

AREA ROBBERY IN

THREE WEEKS

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

A robbery occurred Saturday, October 6, in the 5100 block of Cammack Drive.  Cammack is a dead-end street with a cul-de-sac, and some very expensive homes, in the exclusive west Bethesda enclave of Spring Hill.

The incident was the second robbery in that area in the last three weeks.  It took place yards away from the first of those robberies, the September 15 pepper spray assault and robbery on Massachusetts Avenue, near Baltimore Avenue.  The suspect in that case was described as an adult white male, unshaven facial hair, and short hair.  He is still at large.  Could it have been the same guy?  There is no description of the newest robber to go by yet.

The best advice is to be alert for a man of that vague description, or any other suspicious person, particularly in the Massachusetts Avenue corridor.

BETHESDA NEIGHBORHOODS JOLTED BY THEFT SPREE

6 THEFTS THURSDAY

INCLUDED 3 IN

1 BLOCK

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

Fast-fingered thieves opened car doors across west Bethesda Thursday, as 5 thefts from vehicles were reported, as well as one other theft.

Particularly hard hit was the 6100 block of Cromwell Drive, where three cars were hit by one or more thieves.

Cars were also entered in the 4800 block of Willett Parkway, and the 6100 block of Ramsgate Road.  The latter street connects to Cromwell, so those thefts are very likely connected.

An additional theft was reported in the 4900 block of Sentinel Drive, a street with several apartment and condominium complexes by the Shops at Sumner Place.

There have been a few scattered thefts in Bannockburn and Glen Echo Heights over the last week or so, but Thursday's spree was a bit more unusual.  I haven't heard of any arrests in these cases, so assume the thieves are still out there, and lock your car doors at all times.

GRAND REOPENING OF WESTBARD GIANT IN BETHESDA - WIN FREE GROCERIES FOR A MONTH!

The best Giant in Bethesda - and possibly, anywhere - is celebrating its Grand Reopening at the Westwood Shopping Center, on Westbard Avenue.

You could win FREE groceries for a month, by playing the in-store treasure hunt game today and Sunday, between noon and 5:00 PM.  It partly involves collecting a rubber stamp from each location where free food samples are being given away.  Yesterday, it was not necessary to even take the sample - such as sliced tomatoes and cheese - because you stamp your own "treasure map."  At the end, you find out if you are the winner.  Alas, it just wasn't my day.  But today could be yours!

There are other prizes, too, including free reusable bags and free bags of Giant brand products.

If you're a regular reader here, you've already seen my exclusive preview of the Westbard Giant's colossal new organic section.  But other changes include the relocation of the Flower Shop to a spot near the entrance, and - regrettably - reduced space for books and toys.  The freezer aisles have changed the location of TV dinner brands, but pizzas, Hot Pockets, etc., are still about or exactly the same, depending on the product.

I'm biased, because this is the Giant store I grew up going to.  But it's still the best, in my opinion.  This makeover was less drastic than the last, which was only about 5 years ago, if I recall correctly.  Today's design is quite different from the older store, which had glass all across the front by the checkouts.

Stop by and check out the new Giant on Westbard Avenue, and it could be worth your while this weekend.

BETHESDA WEATHER FORECAST

Another beautiful day ahead in Bethesda:  Sunny with highs in the upper 70s.  5 MPH breeze.

Tonight will be Sweater Weather again:  Lows in the lower 50s with a 5 MPH breeze.

THEFT SPREE CLOSES OUT BETHESDA NEIGHBORHOOD'S "SUMMER OF SNATCH"

Seven thefts in 72 hours was not how some residents of west Bethesda wanted to end their summer.   And once again, the beleaguered Green Acres neighborhood had the majority of the thievery.

It's been a long summer of discontent for Green Acres, which started the season with a burglary spree in May, rode out a midsummer theft wave, and now tops it off with 5 additional thefts, just as autumn leaves begin to fall.

What is it about Green Acres that attracted criminals like magnets this summer, in a year in which the 20816 zip code overall experienced unusual crime activity?  Certainly, unlocked vehicles may have played a role in some thefts from autos.  But one teenage burglar who went wild there in May was breaking into the basement windows of homes, according to police following his arrest.

There have been sporadic thefts in west Bethesda over the last few weeks.  Two thefts in Green Acres on Tuesday initially appeared to be part of that typical activity.

But Thursday's 5 additional thefts strongly suggest one or more thieves are actively working that area now.

So make sure to secure your vehicles and home, and don't leave any money, GPS systems or other valuables in your car.

Here is the complete list of thefts:

Tuesday, August 28

Theft.  5300 block of Western Avenue.

Theft.  4900 block of Crescent Street.

Thursday, August 30

Theft from vehicle.  4600 block of Bayard Boulevard.

5300 block of Baltimore Avenue.

4800 block of Jamestown Road.

5100 block of Wissioming Road.

7800 block of Maryknoll Avenue.

BURGLARY IN BETHESDA

A break-in Wednesday in the Springfield community of Bethesda continued a slow-but-steady series of burglaries in wealthy neighborhoods.  The crime occurred in the 5300 block of Ridgefield Road.

Somerset has had the most break-ins with 5; Green Acres, Kenwood, Spring Valley (DC), Foxhall (DC) and Chevy Chase are among the affected communities.

Lock your doors, and note any suspicious vehicles or persons, particularly if you are in any of the above-mentioned neighborhoods.

GNC LEAVING WESTWOOD SHOPPING CENTER - BETHESDA RETAIL SPACE FOR LEASE

Don't cry over spilled Muscle Milk.

Customers of GNC will be sorry to hear the nutrition store will be leaving its space in the venerable Westwood Shopping Center on Westbard Avenue.

But nearby residents can be optimistic:  the 1500 square foot space is now available for lease.  Could the Westbard area finally get a real, sit-down family restaurant?

I grew up near the shopping center, and can tell you that it is one of the most stable strip malls in the DC area.  Tenants stay for the long haul, and their loyal customers keep coming back.  The last major upheaval was in the 80s-90s, when Farrell's, Crown Books and the hardware store all closed.

Farrell's was the only sit-down, family restaurant in the neighborhood.  Today, there is a bar (Bowlmor), a Chinese restaurant, and Yirasai Sushi along the Westbard commercial strip.

Any smart, enterprising restauranteur - with a high-quality product - could make a lot of money opening a real restaurant in the GNC space.  There is a whole new wave of young families in the surrounding neighborhood, who don't have anyplace to spend their money right now.

The Shops at Sumner Place has Praline - why not a real, white (or checkered?) tablecloth restaurant for the Westbard area?  It's long overdue.

Of course, the spot would also make a great 20816 U.S. Post Office, with ample parking and drive-along sidewalk frontage, for drive-up drop boxes.  That's assuming the USPS would forgo 500 square feet of the 2000' it claims to currently be seeking in 20816.

The options are few, as the only other space currently available is an ample nearly-3000 square foot vacancy on the fourth floor of Westwood Cennter II.  That has plenty of free parking, too.

Can a nearly 30 year wait for a real restaurant on Westbard finally be near an end?  Stay tuned!

BETHESDA STORM UPDATE: NEW POWER OUTAGES, DEBRIS PICKUP STARTS TODAY

TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS HIT BETHESDA

Last night's storms were light on wind, thunder and lightning, but still left some Bethesda residents without power.  I received two reports of power outages in neighborhoods off of River Road.  However, Pepco had restored that outage by shortly after midnight.

Are you without power in Bethesda currently?  Let me know in the comments below, or on Twitter at @BethesdaRow!

COUNTY STORM DEBRIS COLLECTION STARTS TODAY

Get your limbs, branches and other assorted wood debris out to the curb of county-maintained roads - county crews will be traveling throughout the county starting today to pick it all up.

They have a map where you can supposedly track their movement in real time (now if we could just have a real-time, online, itemized county budget!) on the county website.

Not ready yet?  Don't worry!  You can still put debris out in smaller bundles on future trash days.

BETHESDA STORM UPDATE - POWER OUTAGES, COOLING CENTERS

Heat Alert! Storm Alert!

There is a chance of storms today, the temperature will be high (what a shock!) and many are still without power.

For those reasons, the Bethesda Library on Arlington Road will be opened as a cooling center (and as a library, of course: books, internet, etc.) from noon until 8 PM tonight.

You'll be a short walk from the barbecue on Bethesda Lane in front of Redwood between 12 and 6 PM, if you'd like a burger or hot dog.

New Power Outages

Last night's storm caused an additional 11,000 outages.

Old Power Outages

Kenwood (the neighborhood, not the club!) was without power as of 11:00 PM last night.

Power Restorations

Pepco made some progress in the hard-hit 20816 and 20817 zip codes.  Residents near Fernwood and Greentree Roads reported having power by mid-evening last night.

Gas stations on River Road reopened, but 7-11 appeared to remain closed.

Power was restored for the first time in the Springfield neighborhood off River Road.

Stay tuned to @BethesdaRow on Twitter and this blog for the latest news!