MORE VEHICLES BROKEN INTO IN BETHESDA, ROBBERY ON WESTLAKE DRIVE AND MORE: BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Thieves continue to help themselves to items from cars in Bethesda. Vehicle break-ins were reported in western Bethesda again on December 20, with 3 incidents off of Goldsboro Road, and one on River Road. Bradley Hills was also struck multiple times. It can't be said too often: lock your doors, and remove any items visible in the vehicle cabin.

Among other notable crimes, there was an assault reported on Johnson Avenue, and a robbery on Westlake Drive.

Here is a roundup of crimes reported around Bethesda on December 20:

Vehicle burglary. 5400 block Roosevelt Street (Suburban Hospital area).

Vehicle burglary. Chevy Chase ES.

Vehicle burglary. 5200 block River Road (Westbard area).

Burglary. 3800 block Village Park Drive (Chevy Chase).

Assault. 5500 block Johnson Avenue (Old Georgetown Road corridor).

Vehicle burglary. 8600 block Rayburn Road (Bradley Hills).

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

Theft. 8800 block Walnut Hill Road (Chevy Chase).

Vehicle burglary. 6300 block Haviland Drive (Bannockburn/off Goldsboro Rd.).

Vehicle burglary. 6300 block Haviland Drive (Bannockburn/off Goldsboro Rd.).

Vehicle burglary. 6300 block Blackwood Road (Bannockburn/off Goldsboro Rd.).

Theft. 6500 block Lone Oak Drive (Democracy Boulevard/Davis Library area).

Drug arrest. Rockville Pike and Flanders Avenue.

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

Theft. Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Theft. Macy's at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Robbery. 10300 block Westlake Drive (Westfield Montgomery Mall area).

ASSAULT REPORTED FROM WESTBARD CIRCLE IN BETHESDA SATURDAY

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

One day before a 21-year-old female jogger was sexually assaulted on the Capital Crescent Trail, an unspecified type of assault was reported to police a few blocks away.

Saturday's assault was reported from the 5300 block of Westbard Circle in Bethesda.  That is the Kenwood Place condominium complex off of Westbard Avenue.

The assault comes about a month after a pepper spray assault and robbery blocks away at Massachusetts Avenue and Baltimore Avenue.  There was also a recent robbery on Cammack Drive on October 6 [previously reported here], and a burglary in the 6000 block of Massachusetts Avenue on October 15.

An assault could simply be a domestic violence incident, or a fight between intoxicated individuals.  So Saturday's assault is not a cause for alarm, unless details emerge to suggest otherwise.  But given the serious nature of the nearby trail assault the following day, and the September pepper spray assault/robbery, any assaults reported in that area of Bethesda are worthy of attention.

In related news, Park Police are now conducting extra patrols along the CCT.  But the best advice at this time is to avoid using the CCT after dark.  Period.

SUSPECT ARRESTED, CHARGED IN CAPITAL CRESCENT TRAIL ASSAULT - BETHESDA CRIME REPORT

Montgomery County Police acted on a tip, and arrested a 16-year-old Rockville resident in connection with a September 29 assault and attempted robbery in downtown Bethesda.

The teen has been charged with attempted robbery and 2nd degree assault, after he allegedly tried to mug two other juveniles walking on the Capital Crescent Trail at approximately 8:50 PM that evening.

Detectives from the Bethesda Investigative Section located and arrested the suspect on Thursday, October 4.  As many as 5 other male juveniles were involved in the alleged robbery attempt, but police have not yet indicated whether or not those youths have been identified, or will also face charges.

WITH PHANTOM HUGGER STILL AT LARGE, DO NOT WEAR THIS T-SHIRT IN BETHESDA! (PHOTO)

Obviously, there is nothing at all humorous about the Phantom Hugger for the victims of those recent Bethesda assaults.

But with all of the media hype about the Bethesda Hugger recently, I had to pass along a photo of this T-shirt and hat ensemble, spotted on the Boardwalk in Ocean City:

"What Not to Wear" in Bethesda:  "FREE HUGS" t-shirt and cap