Two broad-daylight assaults in two days in downtown Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to two assaults in broad daylight in downtown Bethesda over the weekend. On Friday, August 28, 2026, an individual was jumped by multiple assailants in the 7400 block of Wisconsin Avenue at 3:44 PM. The suspects physically assaulted the victim, and robbed them of unspecified property. Yesterday afternoon at 4:28 PM, officers responded to a 2nd-degree assault in the 4800 block of Cordell Avenue. No descriptions of any of the suspects involved have been released as of this writing. Both incidents again highlight the disturbing 2026 trend of violent crimes increasingly being perpetrated during daylight hours.

Bethesda robbery suspects sought by police

Some extremely vague suspect descriptions related to two recent robberies in Bethesda have been made public by the Montgomery County Police Department. A strong-arm robbery in the 4900 block of Cordell Avenue at 1:13 AM on February 21, 2026 was allegedly perpetrated by "4-5 males, no further descriptions." According to police, the suspects ganged up on a single adult male victim, assaulting him and stealing property from him. Among the items taken were his car keys, which the suspects then used to steal the victim's car. 

In regards to the armed robbery in the 7100 block of Democracy Boulevard at 5:24 PM on February 17, police describe the suspects only as three Black males in their teens. One of the teens displayed a knife, and the suspects succeeded in escaping with money and property from the adult male victim. Once again, a group ganged up on a lone victim, reminding all of us to be aware of our surroundings even in broad daylight, especially if alone.

Police did not elaborate on why the suspect descriptions are so vague, especially since no mention of masks was made in either case. Both locations fall within the range of multiple surveillance cameras, as well. But if you can provide any information that could assist detectives in closing either case, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Strong-arm robbery in downtown Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery in downtown Bethesda early yesterday morning, February 21, 2026. The assault and robbery were reported in the 4900 block of Cordell Avenue at 1:13 AM Saturday. They took place at a bar on that block.

Robbery at Domino's Pizza in Bethesda

Montgomery County police are searching for two suspects who held up the Domino's Pizza store at 4817 St. Elmo Avenue in downtown Bethesda. The robbery took place on September 23, 2025 at 10:41 PM. Coincidentally - or not, Papa John's in downtown Bethesda was robbed eight days later.

Police describe the Domino's robbery suspects only as two Black males, and have not released any surveillance camera images of them as of this writing. The two alleged robbers escaped with cash from the store. If you have any information about the suspects or this incident, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Suspects arrested in three robberies at Geste Beer & Wine in Bethesda

Montgomery County police have confirmed rumors that they had arrested two suspects in the repeated robberies of Geste Beer & Wine at 4801 Edgemoor Lane in downtown Bethesda last week. Detectives say they have determined that the two unnamed juveniles, age 14 and 15, were the robbers who held up the store on July 8, 9, and 10, 2025. They employed - or implied - possession of a firearm in the first two robberies, and reportedly escaped each time via the adjacent Bethesda Metro station's Red Line subway.

The suspects may have returned repeatedly because they not only faced no resistance or rapid police response, but also because the store only keeps a small amount of cash on hand each day. After the store was hit two days in a row, police were ready on Day 3. Officers with the 2nd District Central Business District Team were patrolling the area outside the store at 2:35 PM on July 10, when they noticed two juveniles who matched the descriptions of the robbers entering Geste Beer & Wine.

When the juveniles once again declared a robbery at the checkout counter, police ran into the store and arrested them. Both juveniles have been charged with one count of robbery, and two counts of armed robbery. They are being held at an unidentified "youth facility."

Bethesda beer & wine store robbed on 3 consecutive days

Robbers have struck Geste Beer & Wine at 4801 Edgemoor Lane in Bethesda three days in a row this week. Yesterday, July 10, 2025, at 2:39 PM, Montgomery County police responded to a call regarding a strong-arm robbery at the store. The previous night, July 9, the robbers were armed when they threatened the cashier to obtain cash from the register. They were also armed the day before that, as I reported yesterday. 

The store has been targeted by robbers repeatedly since last year. At the time, the owner asked the County to increase police patrols in the area. That's a challenge, as the County Council has defunded and repeatedly verbally undermined the police, with 194 officers leaving the force since 2020, and 179 officer positions sitting vacant, according to a 2024 County Council staff memo.

Strong-arm robbery in downtown Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery in downtown Bethesda early Tuesday evening, June 10, 2025. The robbery was reported in the 7400 block of Wisconsin Avenue at 6:11 PM. It was reported on the street at the Bethesda Metro Center. 

Strong-arm robbery on Westbard Avenue in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery in the Westbard area of Bethesda on March 20, 2025. The robbery was reported in the 5300 block of Westbard Avenue at 8:43 PM. That would be somewhere between Bowlero and Crown Street.

Juveniles arrested after 2 robberies minutes apart in downtown Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to two robbery reports seven minutes apart in downtown Bethesda Saturday, March 8, 2025. The first robbery was reported at a tobacco shop in the 7800 block of Old Georgetown Road at 5:07 PM Saturday. After leaving the store, the juvenile suspects apparently rounded the corner onto the 4900 block of St. Elmo Avenue. According to @DCNewsLive on X, one of the juveniles allegedly then stole a chain from a person on that block. Police received a call about that at 5:14 PM, and were able to arrest several juveniles attempting to flee at the Bethesda Metro station.

Fourth robbery of 2025 reported at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

A streak of robberies at Westfield Montgomery Mall at the beginning of 2025 has now extended to four. The latest incident was a strong-arm robbery that was reported at 8:05 PM last Friday night, February 21. Just five minutes earlier, Montgomery County police had received a report of a 2nd-degree assault at the mall. That was the first assault reported at the property in 2025. 

Police had taken a more-visible role in security at the mall two weekends prior, following the robberies on January 26 and 27, and February 4. Eleven assaults were reported at the mall last year, five in 2023, and twelve in 2022. Montgomery County police announced the opening of a resource room at the popular retail center in 2022. The mall's ownership replaced the leadership team for the property last November.

Strong-arm robbery in downtown Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery in downtown Bethesda early Sunday morning, February 9, 2025. The robbery was reported in the 4800 block of St. Elmo Avenue at 3:00 AM Sunday. It took place inside a parking garage.

3rd robbery in 9 days at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a robbery at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda Tuesday afternoon, February 4, 2025. The robbery was reported at the mall at 3:30 PM Tuesday. This was the third robbery at the busy retail center in nine days. The first two took place on January 26 and January 27. 

2 robberies in 24 hours at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police were busy at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda as the last week in January began. Officers responded to two robberies in 24 hours at the popular retail center at 7101 Democracy Boulevard. A strong-arm robbery was reported at the mall on Sunday, January 26, at 6:30 PM. Less than 24 hours later, on Monday, January 27, a second robbery was called in at 12:40 PM. A business at the mall was the victim in that robbery. The tenant has not yet been identified. An unspecified weapon was implied or employed in the second robbery, but it was not a gun.

Montgomery Mall had nearly made it to the end of the first month of 2025 without a violent crime taking place there. Eleven assaults were reported at the mall in 2024, up from five in 2023. The last assault was on November 12, 2024. A new leadership team was brought into the mall by parent company Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield ten days later. The peak holiday shopping period from Black Friday through Christmas then passed uneventfully, in terms of crime. Only the typical shoplifting calls expected at any mall during the holiday season were reported during that time. January had likewise been violent-crime-free, until this past Sunday.

Police arrest 3 in White Flint robbery, assault

Montgomery County police have arrested three suspects in the November 16, 2024 strong-arm robbery in White Flint. The robbery took place at 7:52 PM that evening. According to police, the three suspects allegedly assaulted the two adult male victims in the 11600 block of Rockville Pike (MD 355), and took unspecified property from them. Tyshon Evans, 18, of Gaithersburg, Kiarra Twyman, 18, of Gaithersburg, and an unnamed juvenile male, 16, of Rockville were arrested in connection with the robbery.

Evans has been charged with felony robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, and two counts of 2nd-degree assault. He posted $5000 bond, and has been released. Twyman does not appear in Maryland court records, despite being an adult, but no charging information regarding the 16-year-old juvenile will be made public, either.

Strong-arm robbery at White Flint bus stop

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery at a bus stop in White Flint early last Saturday evening, November 16, 2024. The robbery was reported in the 11600 block of Rockville Pike at 7:52 PM Saturday. That is around the "North Bethesda" Metro station (formerly and more accurately known as the White Flint Metro station).

Bethesda juveniles arrested, immediately released for convenience store robbery

Three Bethesda juveniles were arrested, but immediately released "to their primary caregivers," in relation to the October 22, 2024 strong-arm robbery of a downtown Bethesda convenience store. Montgomery County police allege that the three suspects entered the Tobacco & More Mart at 7809 Old Georgetown Road at 9:34 AM. They attempted to leave the store with shoplifted items, and were confronted by an employee. One of the three suspects, age 16, struck the employee in the head, and the alleged thieves fled on foot.

Officers were able to locate and identify the three suspects based upon their descriptions. They were arrested and charged with robbery, police say, but the press release did not indicate if the 16-year-old was also charged with assault. 

Strong-arm robbery at Bethesda convenience store

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery at a downtown Bethesda convenience store Tuesday morning, October 22, 2024. The robbery was reported at Tobacco & More Mart at 7809 Old Georgetown Road. It occurred at 9:39 AM Tuesday. This is approximately the fourth time the store has been targeted by robbers since it opened last year. 

Strong-arm robbery at Bethesda Row Giant

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery at the Giant grocery store at 7142 Arlington Road at Bethesda Row late Tuesday morning, June 25, 2024. The robbery was reported at the store at 11:45 AM. At least one individual was also accused of 2nd-degree assault and theft in the same incident.

Robbery in Bethesda Metro Center garage

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a robbery inside the parking garage at the Bethesda Metro Center Sunday night, June 2, 2024. The robbery was reported in the garage at 8:01 PM Sunday. An unspecified weapon was employed in the robbery, but it was not a firearm.

Strong-arm robbery in North Bethesda

An adult male victim was robbed in North Bethesda late on the evening of April 20, 2024, Montgomery County police report. The man was in the 5900 block of Montrose Road at 11:50 PM, when he was accosted by three male suspects, who forcibly took property from him. Police describe the suspects as three Hispanic males of unknown age. If you have any information about the suspects or this incident, you are asked to call police at (301) 279-8000.