Police release photos of Fox 5 armed carjacking getaway (Photos)

Montgomery County police have released blurry images of the escape by two suspects who allegedly committed an armed carjacking outside of Fox 5 at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda early Thursday morning at 12:11 AM. Detectives are seeking the public's help in identifying and locating the two male suspects, and the stolen burgandy 2018 Hyundai Tucson SUV. While Fox 5 reported that the armed suspect had pointed his gun at the victim, police say he raised his shirt to display the firearm tucked in his waistband.

The suspect whom police say stole the vehicle is described as a Black male with a "dark complexion," around 5'7 to 5'9" tall, 18-22 years of age and with a thin build. He was wearing a ski mask, a hoodie and dark colored gloves. After seizing the Tucson, the suspect followed his accomplice, who was driving a dark SUV, to make their successful getaway. The dark SUV driver is described as a Black male with a medium complexion, in the same age range, and with locs that came down over his forehead.

Only after watching the extensive coverage of the carjacking on Fox 5 have the suspects realized they've done the second dumbest thing next to carjacking a cop - - carjacking an employee of a major local news outlet. You better believe extra police resources are being put on this case. Anyone with information regarding these suspects or this crime is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070 or 240-773-TIPS, or contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect. Callers can remain anonymous.

Photos courtesy MCPD

Armed carjacking in downtown Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed carjacking outside of the Fox 5 studios at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue early yesterday morning. A reader reports seeing five Montgomery County police cruisers parked in front of The Wilson office building with their lights off shortly after the incident occurred. Fox 5 later revealed the victim was a producer at the TV station.

Fox 5's Sierra Fox reported that the victim was parking her 2018 Hyundai Tucson on Elm Street at 12:11 AM, when a dark colored SUV appeared and began making an illegal turn. The suspect emerged from the SUV, and forcibly stopped her from closing her door. He then pointed a gun at her, and shouted for her to get out of the vehicle. The victim was reportedly not physically injured.

"The safety of our employees is always our first priority, and we are in constant communication with the [Montgomery County Police Department] about the incident, safety in the area, and other steps that may be taken," Fox 5 General Manager Patrick Paolini said in a statement. The police department has not said anything publicly about the carjacking as of this writing.

 

Fox 5 updates news ticker outside Bethesda studios (Photos)

Fox 5 has updated the digital news ticker on the plaza below its studios at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda. It now has improved graphics, and displays the current time and temperature. At least one Bethesda-Chevy Chase resident is not a fan, though. A computer print-out sign has been stuck to a barrel near the TV station reading, "Fox News is Russian Propaganda."

Bethesda welcome message on Fox 5 news ticker (Video+Photos)

After showing a test pattern initially, the news ticker on the plaza below the new Fox 5 studios in Bethesda is now activated for text display. A welcome message was scrolling across the screen Friday, referring to Fox 5 and sister station Fox 5 Plus. Of course, the legendary Dick Dyszel would know the latter as WDCA Channel 20. See the ticker in person at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, outside The Wilson.

Fox 5 news ticker installed in Bethesda (Photos)

We're not getting a Times Square giant video screen yet in downtown Bethesda, but Fox 5 has just installed a news ticker at the top of the structure on the plaza below its new studios at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue. About a month ago, a blank strip was left around the top of the facades of it, and wiring and electronic connections were visible. Now the digital display has been installed. Eventually, passengers descending to - or emerging from - the Purple Line or Red Line (using the future south entrance at this location) will be receiving breaking news headlines on this wraparound ticker.

Grey strip at top, as seen on July 6

July 6

Ticker installed

Helicopter places new Fox 5 antenna atop Bethesda TV tower (Photos)

Many in the Westbard area of Bethesda were startled when a red and white helicopter suddenly descended to make a landing near the McDonald's on River Road around 8:20 AM yesterday morning. A few minutes later, it lifted off carrying a tall antenna, and ascended to a point above the 850' tall telecommunications tower at 5208 River Road behind McDonald's. After adding the antenna to the array atop the tower, it landed once more nearby, before departing due north.

The operation was actually supposed to take place a few weekends ago, but was delayed until yesterday. Fox 5 is the owner of the new antenna, which is being placed ahead of the TV station's move to 7272 Wisconsin Avenue later this year. Already, Fox 5 equipment is installed atop The Wilson, the new Class-A office tower at the Carr Properties development.

FAA records indicate the helicopter was a Sikorsky S-61 N owned by Construction Helicopters of Howell, Michigan. The TV tower is owned and operated by Crown Castle.

More satellite dishes installed atop The Wilson in Bethesda

One of my readers mentioned that additional satellite dishes would be installed on the roof of The Wilson, the forthcoming Class A office tower being constructed by Carr Properties at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda. Sure enough, there are now at least two dishes up there. WTTG Fox 5 will be a tenant in the building.

Fox 5 satellite dish installed atop The Wilson in Bethesda

The first sign of The Wilson's most-prominent future commercial tenant, WTTG Fox 5, has appeared atop the 29-story office tower at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda. Barely noticeable from the streets far below, it is already directed straight upward.

Fox 5 to move station headquarters to downtown Bethesda in 2021

WTTG Fox 5 announced this morning it will move its broadcasting headquarters from its venerable Northwest Washington building to Carr Properties' future office tower at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda. The station said it expects to make the move in 2021.

 "We are thrilled to move our facilities to Montgomery County, Maryland into what will be a Grade A complex developed by Carr Properties and we thank the state of Maryland and Montgomery County for making this possible," Fox 5 VP and GM Patrick Paolini said this morning. "This will be a state-of-the-art facility that will keep us in the heart of the Washington, D.C. Metro area and allow us to better serve our community,"