Montgomery County police arrest suspect in Montgomery Mall armed robbery

Montgomery County police have arrested a suspect in the April 25, 2026 armed robbery at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Kilbert Rosales, 34, of no fixed address, was identified by one of the two victims. Officers located Rosales near the Transit Center on the mall property. He initially was cooperative, but after being handcuffed, he allegedly resisted arrest and assaulted police. Before being placed in the rear of a police cruiser, police say Rosales began to slam his head into the rear window of the vehicle, lacerating his face. 

Rosales has been charged with armed robbery, theft ($100 to under $1,500), disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, malicious destruction of property, assault, making a false statement to a police officer, and related charges. He is being held without bond at the County jail. Police recovered the box cutter he allegedly used to threaten the two victims in the parking garage outside of Nordstrom on his person.

Sushi Masato opening in Bethesda

Sushi Masato is coming soon to downtown Bethesda. It has leased the former Tako Grill space at 4914 Hampden Lane at the Shoppes of Bethesda. Tako Grill closed last December, but the spot will now remain home to a Japanese restaurant. Operating hours for Sushi Masato will be 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM Tuesday through Thursday and Sundays, 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM Fridays and Saturdays, and closed on Mondays.

"Sushi Masato is a modern Japanese restaurant featuring fresh sushi, sashimi, and handcrafted rolls, along with a unique selection of premium cakes and desserts," the restaurant said in a promotional statement. "We focus on high-quality ingredients, creative presentation, and a welcoming dining experience. Whether you’re dining in or ordering takeout, Sushi Masato is the perfect spot for both savory and sweet cravings." Sushi Masato has a Montgomery County liquor license hearing scheduled for May 21, 2026 at 11:30 AM.

Armed robbery at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda early Saturday evening, April 25, 2026. The robbery was reported in a mall parking garage at 6:08 PM Saturday. According to police, a suspect wielding a knife robbed two victims of property in the garage.

Police have not released a description of the suspect. They did not indicate how the suspect managed to evade appearing on surveillance cameras in the garage.

This is the fourth armed robbery at the mall this year. All have taken place in parking areas on the property. Three were reported in garages, and one in a surface lot. This is also another of the rapidly piling up examples of a disturbing new crime trend in Montgomery County: violent crimes being perpetrated during daylight hours.

Vacant Wisconsin Avenue properties turning blue in Bethesda (Photos)

A row of vacant commercial properties at 7938-8008 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda is turning the color of your face, if you've been holding your breath for the construction of the Artena Bethesda apartment tower. The latest development is that a painting contractor has been hired to paint all of the storefronts blue. That job has taken place over the last five days, as you can see in the photos below. It's unclear if the other buildings on Woodmont Avenue that are part of the Artena site will be getting the same treatment. This action won't stop vagrants and the homeless from continuing to break into the properties, and the expense suggests the long-vacant buildings aren't expected to be demolished anytime soon. You wouldn't spend money painting buildings you are planning to tear down next week or next month, right?

Gas prices at "last gas" before Beltway on Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda

Here's a look at the current gas prices at the Exxon station at 7975 Old Georgetown Road in downtown Bethesda. This is the "last gas" for drivers heading toward the Capital Beltway interchange on Old Georgetown leaving downtown Bethesda. As of last night, Regular is about to hit $5.00 at $4.99 and 9/10. Extra and Supreme have already surged past the five dollar mark at $5.59 and $5.99, respectively. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

Haute Nail Bar opening soon in Bethesda

Haute Nail Bar is coming soon to downtown Bethesda. It has leased a storefront at 8301 Wisconsin Avenue, in the ground floor of the Rosedale Park apartments. The nail salon is expected to open by the end of spring. Services will include nail art, gel nails, manicures, and pedicures. Operating hours will be 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturdays, and 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sundays. Haute Nail Bar is "where every day is a good nail day."

Mavi opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Mavi has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Turkish denim boutique missed its fall 2025 opening date by several months, but the chain has been engaged in a major expansion of bricks-and-mortar locations across America over the last year, including Jacksonville, Minneapolis, and Long Island. That has included establishing a U.S.-specific subsidiary. Mavi's arrival in American malls comes as Gen Z has shown a preference for in-person shopping over online ordering, particularly in the fashion sector.

If a denim brand can't have Sydney Sweeney and her good genes, it helps to have something unique in the actual denim material to set the brand apart from the other department store jeans that abound in the mall. In Mavi's case, they have Turkish denim fabric in several styles. SuperSoft is a midweight denim that employs Tencel and Lyocell fibers for softness and stretchiness. Feather Denim is even softer and lighter. And Organic Move is the softest with maximum stretch.

What's new for the season at Mavi just as they welcome their first customers in Bethesda? Most obviously, they are promoting their "L-OW RISE" jeans. For summer, they have a line of white denim. Look for Mavi on Level 1 of the mall, in the Nordstrom wing, across from Lily Pulitzer. Operating hours are 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, seven days a week, according to the mall website.

L'Occitane en Provence reopens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

L'Occitane en Provence has reopened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The skincare and beauty boutique has undergone a major renovation. L'Occitane is transforming its stores nationwide to celebrate its 50th anniversary this month. This includes a switch from a trad-retro aesthetic to a more contemporary design. They call this the Soleil, or "sunshine," store model. It features a bright yellow and white color scheme. 

Much like the chain's products and business practices, the construction materials emphasize sustainability. Changes at this location aren't limited to the boutique design. I notice the shop has also posted a job listing seeking a new store manager. Look for the revamped L'Occitane on Level 1 of the mall, next to Arc'teryx and across from Sunglass Hut.

Longtime Bethesda family business moves to Rockville

Brothers Sew & Vac, one of the longest-operating family-owned businesses in Bethesda, has moved to Rockville. Formerly located at 4826 St. Elmo Avenue in downtown Bethesda, they have relocated and opened at 1067 Rockville Pike in the Talbott Center across from Taco Bell. The Morris family has owned and operated the business for seven decades. Brothers carries vacuum cleaners, sewing machines, and medical grade air purifiers. They also repair and service all brands of sewing machines and vacuum cleaners.

Hours of operation at the new Rockville store are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Saturday. Right now, you can get 10% off anything in the store if you mention the code "Bethesda10" at purchase. Free shipping is also available on online orders. Another benefit of the Rockville location? Free parking!

Cafe X-press in Bethesda temporarily closed "due to illness"

Cafe X-press at 8000 Norfolk Avenue in downtown Bethesda will be closed for the rest of the week "due to illness," a sign posted in the window says. "We apologize for the inconvenience and truly appreciate your understanding and support," the sign goes on to say. "We look forward to serving you again soon!"

Police impersonator makes traffic stop in Chevy Chase

Montgomery County police are investigating a disturbing incident that occurred on Thursday, April 16, 2026 in Chevy Chase. At 9:42 PM that evening, police say, a driver on Connecticut Avenue was pulled over by a vehicle equipped with police lights at West Irving Street. That is just north of Chevy Chase Circle. Police have not yet disclosed what the alleged police impersonator told the driver. But they say he did not identify himself to the victim, did not display or show any credentials, and did not issue a citation. He ultimately let the driver go on their way.

Police have not released a description of the suspect, nor of the suspect's vehicle, but say they are investigating the incident. In the meantime, be alert that this person could still be in the area. If you are ordered to pull over and have reason to doubt the individual is an actual police officer, turn on your hazard lights and proceed slowly to give the impression you are looking for a safe place to pull over, but don't stop. Call 911 and ask the operator to confirm the identity of the officer. Keep your doors locked, and do not stop or exit your vehicle until the real police are able to intervene.