Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery in downtown Bethesda on Monday, October 6, 2026. The robbery was reported at a gas station in the 8200 block of Wisconsin Avenue. According to police, it took place sometime "between 6:50 and 7:30 AM," and a knife was the weapon employed in the robbery. Needless to say, such a crime occurring in broad daylight is quite disturbing. No description of the suspect has been released as of this writing.
123 comments:
Only going to get worse.
And no police chief, and no local media will cover this. Thanks Dem voters!
Opportunists passing by, gonna happen, but not in the restaurant sort of area now a bit safer, it seems, since Nike's departure.
Crime is bad. No question.
That said, you gotta stop throwing around the phrase, "in broad daylight."
Recently, you used it in connection with a crime that might well have taken place indoors.
Just now, you used it to refer to a situation that would have occurred, at the latest, just 20 minutes after sunrise in Bethesda this time of year.
It used to be quite disturbing. Nowadays, the lemmings have been desensitized by the eloquent defenders of our democracy. . .
Very inconsiderate of the Bethesda resident to leave their car without gas so carjackers needed to rob the gas station as well. This must be Trump's fault.
7:39, don't be so literal, 'in broad daylight' is an expression of 'overtly without fear of being caught' in my opinion. Its not a measurement of how much 'light' there may be. Methinks you have a bone to pick. That doesnt mean you have been sorting bones. btw.
At least we're much safer than we were in 1990's Bethesda.
During the 1990s, Bethesda, Maryland, experienced a notable wave of armed robberies, including a 182% surge in robberies in the first quarter of 1991 alone, which law enforcement largely attributed to the economic recession.
High-profile armed robberies in Bethesda during this decade fell into several major categories:
💎 Jewelry Store Heists
• The Prestige Jewelry Store Shootout (June 1990): Two armed suspects held up Prestige Jewelry Store on Woodmont Avenue, stealing $24,000 in merchandise. The store owner, Vahag Babayan, chased the men into the street and fired into their getaway car, killing both. The incident sparked a massive public debate over self-defense laws, and Babayan was ultimately acquitted of all charges.
• O'Rourke's Ltd. Insider Robbery (August 1991): A man posing as a customer pulled a semiautomatic handgun, tied up the owner and employees in a back room, and escaped with over $300,000 in cash and jewelry. Police later arrested the gunman and a store employee who had acted as an insider accomplice.
• Montgomery Mall Showcase Theft (January 1994): Two masked men armed with handguns entered the Black, Starr & Frost jewelry store inside Montgomery Mall. One robber fired a shot into the ceiling to terrorize the staff before escaping with several expensive luxury watches.
• St. Elmo Avenue Garage Robbery (December 1995): A traveling jewelry salesman was ambushed at gunpoint by four men in a public parking garage at St. Elmo Avenue and Old Georgetown Road. The thieves stole a duffel bag containing a substantial amount of gems in a hit linked to a New York-based gang.
🏦 Bank Robberies
• Crestar Bank Foyer Shooting (February 1997): An armed man and woman intercepted a customer who had just finished a transaction in the foyer of the Crestar Bank at Old Georgetown Road and Wisconsin Avenue. When the customer resisted, they shot and critically wounded him within sight of the Bethesda police station.
• The Serial Bank Robber (September 1999): A serial robber targeted the First Union Bank on Arlington Avenue, utilizing a ruse where he gestured that he had a concealed weapon. Investigators tied him to three other recent bank robberies in the area, including two separate hits at the Chevy Chase Bank on Western Avenue.
🏠 Home Invasions & Commercial Assaults
• The Garage Ruse Assaults (October 1990): An armed suspect was arrested after a 15-month spree involving armed robberies and sexual assaults in Bethesda parking garages. The perpetrator targeted women by pretending to help them fix flat tires before pulling a gun.
• Marcliff Road Home Invasion (August 1993): Three armed men pried open the back door of a home in North Bethesda. They pistol-whipped a female resident, held her husband and an 80-year-old relative at gunpoint, tied up the entire family, and ransacked the home for cash and jewelry.
I miss when the most crime Bethesda had were massage parlors and "gypsies".
This must be the main reason that the police department moved from downtown Bethesda to their 'Fort Apache' location on Rugby Avenue..
Our new thieves, rapists, and attackers aren't all that sophisticated or interested in such big capers. They're happy just with more personal and racially motivated crime.
It was probably the guy who harasses people all day long at the intersection or the lady selling drugs in the parking lot next to Guapo’s or one of the people who live in the beautiful transitional housing building that harass people all day.
We should thank the council member spokesman, 2:58, for letting us know how safe we are. Didn't work out so well for the sexual assault victim at the library or the other two sexual assault victims in the past year.
The "Garage Ruse Assaults" was committed by one person. Luckily, we have different perpetrators committing these crimes in multiple locations like Landon Woods and a few others that have been "classified" under lesser crime statutes so as to appear McCarthy and company are "on the job".
Color it anyway you want, Bethesda is not safer than it was 30 years ago thanks to soft-on-crime policies and 2:58 blathering about how safe it is now is just more propaganda.
Robert, its kinda a backhanded compliment to you that the Council Cretins are trying out their typical submerge, spin, and disingenuousness here in your blog.
4:40am Indeed, those folks have so much energy harassing people all day. All that effort could be put to productive use.
Covert comment if I ever saw one.
Took the words right out of my mouth.
??? WT....
Dyer wasn't born yet..
And yet, your conservative, retentive, sorry azzed self is still here. Cry me a creek if you can.
3:48 you left out 'and a forgiving environment.'
Correction: "McCarthy and company are "asleep at the wheel" and the lemmings are reelecting them for the sixth consecutive time!.
According to their 'sound judgement' these do not rise to the level of a crime maybe misdemeanors.
"On the podium!" https://bethesdamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/JohnMcCarthy-pc-EliaGriffin-1068x712.jpg
Current gas prices are his fault, yes.
If the usual fearmongerers on this blog could read that they’d be very upset.
I walk by those areas every day. Never once have I been harassed or seen someone out there harassing passerby.
A @ 3:50: I can say I've personally seen homeless people accosting customers and attempting to vandalize gas pumps at that gas station over the years.
A - 3:50 - What does that even mean? Are you saying that this report is false? People walk by areas all the time and see nothing of concern or danger until one day, someone does.
🤣
🤣
3:48 should quit her day job and hang out with 2:58 so both ladies can shill for the council.
Because 3:50 didn't see it, its never happened to anyone. You and Walz have a lot in common.
Did 7:15 fail English or just passed along and graduated?
@2:58 are you taking time off shilling for the PL? I guess the rise in crime keeps you busy.
A, even if what you say is honest and accurate, its illogical to rely on 'proving' a negative when you obviously aren't there literally all thd time. Busted, again for PC spin. Go back to the watercooler.
He was forced to retire: Goodbye tension, hello pension!
Que Pasa Amigo?
@7:17 AM Fertile and inviting environment!
The prolific perennial prosecutor
And a part-time college legal tutor
With the eloquence that of Horatio
Is now pitching the new golden ratio
Reject punishment embrace education!
Give it sometime, they're working their way down:
https://x.com/BethesdaRow/status/2107940528151294365
Is Trump also responsible for 3:46's ignorance and apathy?
3:46. Gas got up to 5:02 during Biden's residency. Plus we lost about 20 percent of our buying power, and Iran still had missiles, close to Nuclear weapons anc enough nuclear materiel to.make many dirty bombs and missiles.
@4:01 AM I believe he is trying to emulate Chaucer.
Looks like reading comprehension doesn't matter, they’re upset anyway.
Don't let someone’s personal experience of living in downtown Bethesda and walking its streets literally every single day get in the way of y’all’s doomer fearmongering!
@JAC I’m saying that the constant fearmongering and doomer comments on every post about Bethesda being some crime-ridden hellhole are not based in reality. Some of the commenters saying that don’t even live in the state, and the ones who do clearly aren’t getting out enough.
@11:13 gas was up briefly to $5.02 in June 2022 due to simple supply and demand - during covid, gas companies drastically winded down production due to less demand. When the country began opening back up in 2022 those companies struggled to increase supply to meet the demand. Gas prices are currently at a record high for October.
https://gasprices.aaa.com/pump-prices-remain-at-record-highs-for-autumn/
Biden releasing oil stockpiles along with gas companies ramping up production caused gas prices to fall after June 2022.
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IN11916
Trump has been releasing strategic stockpiles without much effect, because Iran has hit oil facilities across the Middle East while still owning the Strait of Hormuz with their ability to shut it down at will using drones.
Iran had nuclear material because Trump scrapped the Obama-Iran nuclear deal. I remember our Iranian analysts at work were livid that day because that deal was the only thing keeping Iran from pursuing nukes.
A quote from a classic movie: "It's make like a tree and leave"
@7:15 It's "cry me a river", hopefully you're not old enough to vote but if you are, weep for the future we must.
The lady who sits in the lot next to the halfway house and walks up to cars stopped at the light asking for money walks right across the street to the liquor store if someone is dumb enough to give her a handout. And all of this past week a young (20s) tall African American man wearing all black with a tall afro has been harassing folks in Veterans' Park in Woodmont Triangle - I watched him walk around the fountain area and approach 3 different people saying things like " You don't like black people?" "I just got out of prison" and "Are you racist? Why won't you talk to me?" very aggressively while standing close. I left the park finally (where I was trying to enjoy some time outdoors) and called MoCo non-emergency police to report it. It is becoming increasingly difficult to be outside without being accosted by the homeless and now apparently the newly released criminals.
8:25 - A, I appreciate it. No, Bethesda is not a crime-ridden hellhole at all, you're right. But I think the criticism of soft on crime policies and posture are more than fair game. What we do know is that the cops are not the problem. Their ranks have been hard hit by the total loons in office many of whom are about to be rubber-stamped by clueless voters. It's the policies and lack of tough on crime that have fed up so many good police and they've retired, moved or otherwise left. Who in their right mind would sign up to serve in this county? Not that many and we see the result. More cops and resources on the street, less crime and problems it's just that simple. It's a great area and a safe area. But small things matter and can't be left to grow into something bigger.
9:11 believes whatever CNN says and completely forgets the deal that Barry signed off on was filled with holes and allowed enriched U235 from France. Of course we all believe that Iran would never ever want to make a WMD device. Do you still believe in the tooth fairy as well? Grow up.
The problem with A is she is in complete denial of crimes that make the politicians she worships look bad. The opposite is true when someone she doesn't like is in charge. Examples like the library rape, the Walz pardon of a convicted illegal pedophile and how illegals have committed 3/4 of all the murders in Fairfax County. A mind is a terrible thing to waste so you have no worries there.
@8:20 reading comprehension isn't your strong suit. Sad that we need to explain it to you like a grade schooler. One data point from one shill doesn't make the rule.
@8:19 projective self own.
@8:25 you know a simple acknowledgement of things that actually happen might make some of your commentary relevant but denials simply demonstrate that you're more of a partisan hack than the ones you try to comment on.
Im a bit surprised that the County doesnt at least drop off a porta potty for this busy little intersection.. more talk around A's watercooler!
@6:39 I work for the Department of Defense, I know more about Iran’s past and present capabilities than you do. Sit down. <3
@6:53 hey man, if you want to ignore facts and spend your life shaking in fear at your own shadow, be my guest.
@8:06 boohoo, cry harder. 😘
@6:49 rent free :)
7:34 proves the point of ignorance by partisanship. Zero self awareness and apathy by default. 37 years old and still dumb as rocks, unbelievable.
@7:35 sad that you never learned basic proofs in mathematics. Kids in HS know that one data point isn't proof for all. MC in Rockville has remedial classes that could help but there is no cure for a closed mind.
@7:36 Now that he kind of reply we expect from a useless millennial who always knew more than her parents. Self actualize once in awhile.
@7:38 Just the facts, sad that you can't deal.
She spends all her time there on her phone during federal working hours while collecting a government paycheck. Sad but true.
@7:34 Seriously? John Brennan had a security clearance and still signed a known falsehood document saying the laptop was Russian disinformation. You're not 1% as smart and he's an idiot.
I just hope she's not discussing secrets being a DOW (formerly DOD) gubmint hanger on, being in on the Iran situation and all that high level stuff.she earlier claimed.
Anyone claiming "they know" on a anonymous blog via internet resume has issues. Not to mention anyone holding a clearance doesn't hand out so many bits and pieces over multiple posts so as to compromise their position so you're either lacking in self esteem and a possible security risk or a liar.
@7:34 It's Department of War. Maybe to the subset of those who are working against the American people, you disagree. Don't cash your paycheck.
@9:29 cope, darling.
@11:42 I know more than you do on these topics. Deal with it. 😘
@4:15 that’s fine, I don’t really care if you believe me or not. 😊
@9:33 don't worry, your shadow won’t hurt you, I promise.
@9:37 rent free <3
@9:38 you're welcome for my service <3
@2:00 you’re welcome for my service <3
@11:39 Keep digging!
@11:40 Tell it to victims.
When 11:39 has to tell everyone how smart they are...
@11:41 So funny when you can't address simple facts.
This is all while "working". Need another round of DOGE!
@9:11 AM Thanks for posting the FACTS. Sadly, too many people can't deal with the truth.
@4:15 the poster at 11:39 is probably both. Any holders of clearances would never compromise themselves risking their job and possibly national security. Likely that 11:39 does not hold a clearance and works in a support role counting paperclips or something.
@11:43 Make sure to stack the stationary in neat rows!
Sounds like a Configuration Management Specialist.
@4:21 @11:13 you're welcome for my service <3
@2:49 you're welcome for my service <3
@2:348 rent free <3
@9:35 wah wah :(
@2:45 yes, you want to be the victim of your shadow, we already know this. <3
@2:41 cope, darling. :)
@2:21 I try to counter the doomer pearl clutching however I can.
@4:18 Breaking News: Area Man learns that Department of Defense employees know things about national security. More at 11.
@47:41 sorry sweaty, we don't do preferred pronouns now. Department of "War" is woke. Department of Defense is its given name, so that's what we go by.
@JAC yeah, some of these cornballs here act like Bethesda is some Mad Max style apocalyptic hellhole, and that the entirety of downtown Bethesda is gonna spontaneously combust the nanosecond that the Purple Line opens. It's very weird.
Sure we could always be tougher on crime. We could arrest and throw people in jail for breaking the law. But study after study in peer-reviewed scientific journals has shown that the solution for diminishing crime is not just adding more jail. Crime is a very complicated problem affected by a multitude of sociological, mental, and economic factors. There's a reason why you need years of higher education to really get a grasp on this stuff. It's complex. To give an example - I have a buddy who works for MCPS. Due to the Trump administrations cuts to the Department of Education, MoCo had to cut pretty much all of their social worker positions - the positions whose purpose is working with the most vulnerable students and steering them onto the right track. So now, instead of having a stable, good influence that they'd see five days a week eight hours a day, they will leave school and be subjected to bad influences that only want to exploit them for nefarious activities. THAT is the kind of situation that breeds crime. These kids are doomed for failure and charging them with jail time won't fix them, ESPECIALLY with this countries high rates of recidivism. They need help from qualified social workers and mental health professionals, and police just are not trained to provide that kind of help.
The man that harasses people is a known issue; there have been multiple posts about him on the r/bethesda subreddit. Hopefully he'll get the help he needs, it's a clear cut mental health case, and nobody here should be subjected to him harassing them.
Breaking news: 7:56 Karen with fragile ego pretends to know everything and yet has learned nothing.
Pro Tip: When debating on an anonymous blog, your internet credentials and self-awarded expert status means nothing when you're just flat out wrong.
@7:48 Serious question: Do you believe that the rape at the library is fake news along with the other two sexual assaults in the past year? How about the illegal alien murder statistics just across the river in Fairfax County?
@7:56 Look, I'm not trying to tell you how to do your job but remember to empty the waste baskets at the end of your shift. The DOW wants a clean break room.
@7:47 Should we get you a tissue?
@7:46 Projection and stumbling while trying to type while "working"
@7:46 thanks for keeping the stationary closet clean
@7:45 just count the paperclips and move on to the next task, the coffee machine.
Anecdotal evidence is not proof of concept. The prosecutor in MC has proven that non-prosecution of crimes has brought nothing but recidivism for the very people that were "helped" by not putting them into the system. Throwing more money at the problem without commensurate results is simply bad policy. You seem to think it doesn't matter and that wishing it gets better with more money is the answer. MCPS is a good example of how not to run a school district. For example, how many millions were spent taking a parental choice policy all the way to SCOTUS? On the face of the policy, they were never going to prevail but don't let that stand in the way of spending millions of precious taxpayer dollars.
@5:40 holy projection, Batman! You're welcome for my service <3
@5:47 don't you worry, us federal employees do our jobs very well :)
@9:09 the studies I'm referring to are peer-reviewed studies published in scientific journals. Nice try though.
Which "parental choice" policy are you talking about? When knuckle dragging parents were afraid that their kids would learn that gay and trans people exist? Or the one where schools enforced basic medical precautions so that immunocompromised kids wouldn't get sick and die from easily preventable diseases?
@5:53 rent free <3
@5:55 you're welcome :)
@5:57 I always do what I can to be a good team player :)
@2:03 I suppose when you're on the phone answering blog posts, you can't carry the trash out very efficiently. We'll take your word for it.
At least 2:11 typed it out between tasks.
Serious question: Do you believe there was a rape at the Bethesda library, or that Illegals have committed 3/4 of the murders in Fairfax County and did Walz pardon a convicted illegal pedophile?
@2:12 That's what we want to hear!
Yeah, crazy that parents want to have a say in their kids education. This is why the authoritarian left is such a failure. They rail against Trump doing exactly what they accuse him of. Why don't you read some of the material they wanted to hand out to elementary school children and tells us how it's appropriate.
@2:10 Is this why you ignore what Walz did?
Reminder that they wanted to start this with essentially graphic illustrations starting in 2nd grade. Just wow.
@5:17 yes it is :)
@1:53 sorry that reality offends your fragile ego :(
@4:59 that’s fine with me :)
@5:44 wait, are you that weirdo who can’t read? Are you following me from post to post? Absolute fan behavior.
@5:50 sure, it seems like you need one.
@5:14 rent free <3
Teaching 2nd graders how to perform same sex acts isn't education, it's indoctrination. This is why Christian and Muslim parents got together, sued and prevailed.
So the Karen would rather protect illegals over citizens. Got it
Like a worker that knows their limitations!
@6:08 that’s what it means to be a good team player :)
@1:48 rent free <3
@6:08 we should all strive to help out our coworkers wherever we can :)
Post a Comment