Masked men casing vehicles in Massachusetts Avenue corridor of Bethesda

A group of men wearing masks has been seen testing door handles on vehicles in neighborhoods along Massachusetts Avenue in Bethesda, according to Montgomery County police. At least one theft has been reported, in the 5300 block of Albemarle Street in Westmoreland Hills. Two of the masked suspects were observed entering a vehicle there, and removing items from the interior. Be sure to lock your vehicle and remove any visible items from the interior.

Credit cards stolen from vehicle in Mohican Hills in Bethesda

Thieves are afoot again in the Massachusetts Avenue corridor of Bethesda. Credit cards were taken from inside a vehicle parked in the 5600 block of Mohican Road in Mohican Hills on Friday, March 20, 2026. The thief later attempted to use at least one card. Remember to lock your vehicle and remove all valuables from the interior, and do not leave your car keys in the glove compartment or the ignition(!!). 

MCPD releases details about shocking assault in Kenwood

The Montgomery County Police Department has released a few details on last month's aggravated assault in the exclusive Kenwood neighborhood in Chevy Chase. According to police, two suspects were attempting to steal items from inside a vehicle parked in the 6400 block of Garnett Drive at 3:49 PM on December 17, 2025. The vehicle's adult male owner spotted the suspects and, accompanied by a second individual, confronted them. Both victims were then physically assaulted by the alleged thieves, who fled the scene.

Police describe the suspects only as a Middle Eastern male and a Hispanic male, both of unknown age. They did not indicate whether the suspects fled on foot, or in a getaway car. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing this case, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Credit cards stolen from car in Bethesda church parking lot

How low will criminals go? Breaking into cars parked outside of sunrise services on Christmas, for one. Montgomery County police responded to a report of theft from a vehicle parked in a church parking lot in Bethesda on Christmas morning. The theft was reported in the Our Lady of Lourdes Church parking lot in the 7500 block of Pearl Street at 7:25 AM last Thursday. A property damage report indicates the vehicle was broken into, rather than left unlocked. The thief later attempted to use one of the stolen credit cards at a restaurant.

Vehicles ransacked in Massachusetts Avenue corridor of Bethesda

Two thieves targeted vehicles in neighborhoods along Massachusetts Avenue in Bethesda during broad daylight on December 3, 2025, Montgomery County police report. They were successful in obtaining stolen property and cash from inside of unlocked vehicles on Massachusetts Avenue itself, on Wapakoneta Road in Mohican Hills, and on Falmouth Road in Spring Hill. The thefts took place between 9:00 AM and 12:46 PM. 

Police describe one suspect only as a Black male of unknown age, and have no physical description of the second suspect. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing this case, call police at (301) 279-8000. 

Auto parts theft spree in Edgemoor neighborhood of Bethesda

One or more auto thieves went on a theft spree in the Edgemoor neighborhood of Bethesda over the night between October 6 and October 7, 2025. Auto parts were stolen from vehicles parked in the 6600 block of Fairfax Road, the 6700 block of Fairfax Road, and the 7100 block Exfair Road. Montgomery County police have not made a public statement about this theft spree yet. Typically, these thieves are seeking airbags and catalytic converters.

Auto parts theft spree in Bethesda

One or more thieves seeking auto parts broke into multiple vehicles in the Bethesda neighborhoods of Alta Vista, Ashburton, and Wyngate over the night between September 16 and September 17, 2025. Parts were stolen from vehicles parked in the 9400 block of Singleton Drive, the 9800 block of Singleton Court, the 9500 block of Bulls Run Parkway, the 9500 block of Milstead Drive, and the 9500 block of Wadsworth Drive. Montgomery County police have not made a public statement about this theft spree yet. However, these thieves are typically seeking airbags and catalytic converters.

Thieves return to Westbard Square parking garage in Bethesda

Thieves returned to the parking garage at the Westbard Square development in Bethesda on Monday for the first time since June. Montgomery County police responded to a report of property having been stolen from a vehicle in the garage at 11:55 AM Monday, September 1. That is within the typical midday time period that thieves have favored for smash-and-grab activity inside the garage, which is located in the 5300 block of Zenith Overlook.

After the last theft incident on June 16 at 11:30 AM, Westbard Square property owner Regency Centers announced it would be installing security cameras inside the garage, and that police would have direct access to that surveillance footage. No thefts had been reported in the garage since then, until Monday. Whether the new cameras have led to an arrest in this case, or will provide an image of the suspect(s) that police can release to the public to facilitate such an arrest, has not been made public as of this writing.

Thieves target Bethesda parking garage again as Westbard theft spree continues

The crime wave continues at the Westbard Square development in Bethesda. Over the last four months, thieves have struck with impunity, smashing vehicle windows in the parking garage and helping themselves to bags and valuables left inside. The latest theft took place this past Monday morning, June 16, 2025 at 11:30 AM. This is at least the 17th theft from a vehicle inside this garage since February, with most of the incidents taking place during daytime hours.

No surveillance camera images or arrests from any of the cases have been made public so far. It appears that security or police could simply wait in the garage, and/or set up a bait car trap, and easily catch the thieves in the act. Yet the thefts continue unabated. 

Many of the victims have been customers whose vehicles were vandalized while they were inside the Starbucks. With a new pizza restaurant opening soon, it becomes even more imperative for this theft spree to be brought to an end. If diners are coming out to find their windows smashed and property stolen while they were eating lunch, this will be terrible for business, as you can imagine.

The Montgomery County Council remains silent on the crime wave at Westbard Square, which included a shooting that injured two people outside of Bowlero on March 29. Months later, only one suspect has been arrested in that case so far, with one or more shooters still at-large. Police have not specified how many shooters there were in total, only that there was more than one, so it is still unknown how many suspects are being sought. It's unclear why Montgomery County and Westbard Square property owner Regency Centers are not moving urgently and forcefully to quash this criminal activity, as the area is apparently gaining a regional reputation among criminals as a place where crimes can be committed with impunity, which will be a total and complete disaster for the development and the surrounding community.

Westbard crime wave continues in Bethesda

The crime wave around the new Westbard Square development in Bethesda continues. A March 29, 2025 shooting that wounded two people outside the Bowlero bowling alley at 5353 Westbard Avenue has been the highest-profile incident, but an ongoing spree of thieves breaking into cars parked in the development's parking garage has claimed at least three more victims since May 10. Montgomery County police reported that two vehicles were broken into between 3:38 PM on May 10, and 3:13 PM on May 11. Money and other valuables were stolen from inside the cars.

A third vehicle parked in the garage was broken into this past Thursday, May 22, at 9:45 AM. According to a witness who passed the scene about 45 minutes later, one of the car's windows had been smashed. 

This makes a total of at least 16 vehicles that have been broken into in the Westbard Square garage since February. Like virtually all of the incidents, the latest three occurred during daylight hours. Most of the victims report that they had simply parked their car in the garage, and gone into Starbucks, only to come out and find their vehicles damaged and items stolen from within. "This is making me hesitant to shop and go to Starbucks there," the witness said. 

As with the March shooting, there appear to be no consequences for the criminals who are preying on patrons of the development's businesses. And, as with the shooting, no surveillance images of the garage perpetrators are being released to the public. Who are these thieves, and where are they coming from?

Word is getting out that this is a "free pass" area for crimes, and that does not bode well for public safety or successful businesses in the Westbard community. Now you have residents and customers starting to say they feel unsafe. I'm surprised that property owner Regency Centers and Montgomery County are not moving swiftly to get this under control.

Thieves strike in Bethesda parking garage again

A crime wave of thefts from autos parked in the same commercial garage in the Westbard area of Bethesda continues. Montgomery County police responded to a report of a theft from a vehicle inside the Westbard Square parking garage in the 5300 block of Zenith Overlook on Sunday afternoon, May 11, 2025 at 3:05 PM. This was the 13th theft reported in the garage since February, and once again, it was a daytime crime.

No surveillance camera footage of the crimes, nor any suspect descriptions, have been released by police in these cases. Therefore, we don't have any clue as to who these thieves are, or where they are coming from. A shooting that wounded two people across the street from the garage over six weeks ago also remains unsolved. This previously low-crime area is going to acquire a bad reputation, if property owner Regency Centers and Montgomery County officials fail to nip this crime spike in the bud pretty soon.

Another theft inside Westbard Square garage in Bethesda

Thieves have struck again inside the parking garage at Westbard Square in Bethesda. Montgomery County police were called to the garage in the 5300 block of Zenith Overlook at 1:37 PM on Thursday, April 3, 2025. The victim reported property having been stolen from inside their vehicle. That follows the m.o. of those engaged in preying on vehicles in the garage, who seem to favor the afternoon for many of their crimes.

The latest theft came only two days after the last one. It was also the twelfth time police were called about a theft from a vehicle inside this garage since February 10. To date, we have not seen any surveillance camera footage showing any of the suspects in these cases being released to the public.

Who are the thieves stealing from vehicles in this Bethesda garage?

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!

Auto parts stolen at several North Bethesda apartment complexes

One or more auto parts thieves hit several parking lots outside North Bethesda apartment complexes over the night between August 20 and 21, 2024. The properties impacted were all in the vicinity of Randolph Road. Parts were stolen from vehicles parked at the Village Square West and Lerner Oxford Square apartments, and at the Bethesda Park condominiums. Thieves are typically looking for airbags and catalytic converters. Police recommend installing a steering wheel device like The Club to discourage the former, and having your catalytic converter etched to ward off the latter.

Assault in Spring Hill neighborhood of Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault in the Spring Hill community of Bethesda on the morning of June 19, 2024. The assault was reported along the street in the 5200 block of Falmouth Road at 10:15 AM. An individual was also accused of stealing property from a vehicle in the same incident. 

22 car windows smashed in Bethesda condo garage theft rampage

Two suspects got inside the private parking garage of the Edgemoor Condominium at 4821 Montgomery Lane in Bethesda in the early morning hours of March 25, 2023, and proceeded to smash windows on 22 vehicles, according to residents and a police report on the incident. Other vehicles that were unlocked were rummaged through by the suspects. The suspected motive was to steal property from inside the vehicles, but a total accounting of what was taken and its total value has not been tabulated as of today. 

Montgomery County police were called to the scene around 2:01 AM that morning by the garage attendant employed by the Edgemoor. He told responding officers that, while sitting next to the garage entrance, he heard several loud crashes on the lower levels of the garage. One of the suspects then walked up from the level below, and continued past the attendant to exit the garage. It's unclear how or when the second suspect exited the garage, or how the men got past the garage attendant to enter the facility in the first place. 

After going down the ramp to investigate what had made the noise, the attendant noticed that multiple vehicles had broken windows. Police believe a screwdriver or similar object was used to break the glass, based upon investigation of the damage.

As more officers arrived at the scene, a new call came in from a parking garage on Elm Street. Two vehicles there had smashed windows, and officer who wrote the report states that the description they have from those thefts matches that of the Edgemoor suspect. Another victim in the 5200 block of Hampden Lane later called police to report that the driver's side window of their SUV had been smashed at 3:07 AM.

One suspect is described as a "light complexion" male in his late 20s or early 30s, approximately 5'2" in height, and weighing around 150 pounds. He was wearing a mask, all-black clothing, and black gloves, and a backpack on his back. He was videotaped by the Edgemoor's security cameras, and by other cameras in downtown Bethesda. He remains at large as of this writing. 

There is no description of the second suspect in the Edgemoor thefts, but the suspect in the nearby Hampden Lane incident is described as a male wearing a black jacket, and carrying a blue umbrella. He, too, remains at large.

If you have any information that can assist police in solving this case, call the non-emergency number at 301-279-8000.

Airbag theft wave in Chevy Chase

There has been a rash of airbag thefts in Chevy Chase over the last week. According to police and reader accounts, vehicles were broken into on several streets in order to obtain the valuable airbags. Multiple airbags were stolen from vehicles on Hillandale Road on February 16, and from at least two cars on Chevy Chase Drive yesterday morning. At least two airbags were stolen in the 6900 block of Strathmore Street yesterday morning, as well.

Also yesterday in Chevy Chase, unspecified auto parts - likely airbags - were stolen from a vehicle in the 8500 block of Freyman Drive, and an entire vehicle was stolen on that block to cap things off. This was in addition to the carjacking on Chevy Chase Drive earlier this week, in which the elderly victim was injured by the thief.

What can you do to protect your vehicle from airbag thieves? The best thing is to put your car in the garage, but that isn't an option for many people. Montgomery County police recommend installing or activating a car alarm system, parking in a well-lit spot, and using anti-theft devices that fit across the steering wheel. Hondas and Toyotas have the most sought-after airbags. 

Photo courtesy The Club

Theft-from-auto rampage in Springfield, Sumner, Glen Echo Heights neighborhoods of Bethesda

Multiple residents in the Springfield, Sumner and Glen Echo Heights neighborhoods in Bethesda awoke on February 5, 2023 to find items missing from inside their vehicles. One resident in Glen Echo Heights found their car missing altogether. Streets that were hit by the thieves included Ogden Road, Ogden Court, Madawaska Road, Wissioming Road, Knollwood Road, Nahant Street, Wapakoneta Road, Namakagan Road and Newington Road. Remember to lock vehicles, do not leave any visible objects inside the car, and do not leave your keys in the ignition or glove compartment.

Car stolen in Green Acres, thieves rifle through cars in Springfield neighborhood of Bethesda

One or more thieves took what they could from at least cars in the Springfield neighborhood of Bethesda off River Road early yesterday morning. Property was taken from vehicles parked in the 5800 block of Ogden Court, and in the 5700 block of Ridgefield Road, according to crime data. One resident in nearby Green Acres fared much worse, however - a vehicle was entirely stolen from the 5000 block of Smallwood Drive.

Another string of catalytic converter thefts in Bethesda

Another catalytic converter theft spree has hit the Bethesda area over the last couple of weeks, and the locations are really across the board. Victims have been primarily Toyota Prius owners, as hybrid vehicles have cleaner exhaust systems, making their converters much more valuable to thieves wanting to sell the rhodium and platinum found in them. Priuses have been targeted in Battery Park, North Bethesda near Fernwood and Greentree Roads, Brookmont and Grosvenor. 

There's not much you can do to prevent these thefts besides installing an anti-theft device on your converter, adding a motion-sensing light to your garage/driveway, or etching your license number onto the converter for law enforcement identification purposes. While time consuming, these actions might well be worth it if you own a hybrid vehicle.

Photos courtesy Toyota