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.

Montgomery County police arrest 3 in Chevy Chase "street takeover" riot

Novorriya Gregory Smith, Jr.

Montgomery County police have arrested three suspects in relation to the infamous February 22, 2026 "street takeover" riot at the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and East-West Highway in Chevy Chase. The uncivil disturbance, taking place within view of the elite Columbia Country Club, included the malicious destruction of two County police cruisers. Police today revealed that one of the suspects dropped his pants to expose himself to a County police officer.

Ayden Joseph Cline

Ayden Joseph Cline, 18, of Cumberland, Pennsylvania has been charged as an adult with reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, malicious destruction of property, failure to obey lawful orders, and obstruction and hindering. Novorriya Gregory Smith Jr., 20, of Lusby has been charged with reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, malicious destruction of property, failure to obey lawful orders, obstruction and hindering, and indecent exposure. A juvenile, 17, of Laurel has been charged with disorderly conduct, malicious destruction of property, failure to obey lawful orders, and hindering.

Smith, Jr. and Cline are being held without bond at the County jail. The juvenile has been released into the custody of "a parent or guardian."

Montgomery County issues Stop Work order at restaurant in Bethesda

Montgomery County code inspectors have issued a Stop Work order at Silk Route, a restaurant under construction at 4839 Del Ray Avenue in downtown Bethesda. The new tenant is converting the building from previous owner Tia Queta. According to a notice posted on the front of the restaurant, the tenant is in violation of Montgomery County Code Chapter 8, Section 24(a). That section reads as follows:

"It is unlawful to construct, enlarge, alter, remove or demolish a building or change the occupancy of a building from one use group to another requiring greater strength, exitway or sanitary provisions; or to change to a prohibited use; or create or alter any ownership unit when a use under an occupancy certificate or a structure exists on the parent lot; or to install or alter any equipment for which provision is made or the installation of which is regulated by this chapter, without first filing an application with the department in writing and obtaining the required permit therefore; except, that ordinary repairs as defined in Section 8-3 which do not involve any violation of this Chapter are exempt from this provision."

The order was issued this morning, according to the posted notice. Under County regulations, all construction work must cease at the site until corrective action is taken, and County inspectors return for another inspection at that time. Alternatively, the restaurant can appeal the Stop Work order to the County Board of Appeals within 30 days.