Bethesda's Caroline Freeland Park damaged by arson (Photos)

The playground at Caroline Freeland Urban Park at 7200 Arlington Road in Bethesda is temporarily closed after an arson incident. Wednesday night around 10:30 PM, firefighters extinguished a small fire at the playground. Lt. Tracy D. Lieberman, Public Information Officer for the Maryland-National Capital Park Police, said investigators believe a trash can was intentionally set on fire. 

The surface of the playground was damaged by the fire. Lieberman said the surface been repaired, but that the playground will have to remain closed while it cures. It is expected to reopen sometime next week. If you have any information about this arson incident, you are asked to call the Park Police at 301-949-8010.

Montgomery County slow to react to Bethesda church attacks

Montgomery County government initially kept quiet about the first two arson and vandalism attacks at Bethesda churches early Saturday, and County leaders have been slow to react to the third yesterday morning. County officials made no public announcement of several fires being set at North Bethesda United Methodist Church, and of the cemetery being vandalized at the Wildwood Baptist Church next door Saturday until late the next morning, about 10 hours after a third attack at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church. Arson and property damage at St. Jane's was significant enough that Sunday Masses had to be relocated to a gymnasium.

Coverage of the church attacks by local media has not yet delved into why the public was not informed Saturday of the first attacks. No report I've seen so far challenges County leaders as to why they did not make the initial two attacks public until more than 24 hours later. Had they been announced, perhaps other houses of worship and the public could have been on heightened alert; there's no evidence Montgomery County itself stepped up protection of nearby churches, as the arson Sunday morning would seem to confirm.

County elected officials' reaction to the weekend church attacks has been slow, underwhelming or non-existent. County Councilmember Andrew Friedson (D), who represents the area where all three houses of worship were vandalized, did not weigh in on the matter until very late Sunday evening on Twitter. Councilmembers Will Jawando (D -At-Large) and Gabe Albornoz (D - At-Large) tweeted at about the same time late Sunday. So far, no County elected official has outlined any actions they are taking in response.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (D) had still not issued a formal press release on the County website as of this writing, and had not commented on Twitter or Facebook. Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen (D) has been silent on the attacks, despite a media event this past March at which he said, "It is a sad sign of the times that we have to be protecting places of worship, but it is a reality of the times.” His colleague, Ben Cardin (D), hasn't spoken out, either. Congressman Jamie Raskin (D), who represents Bethesda, hasn't issued a press release or social media statement as of this hour.

No press release yet from
Montgomery County police

Attacks of this nature are hate crimes and acts of domestic terrorism. But as of this morning, there is no press release from Montgomery County police on these high-profile crimes.

No visible police patrols or presence were
seen at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
in downtown Bethesda on the "night of rage"
two weeks ago, nor last night following this
weekend's attacks at other Bethesda churches

The tepid response by Montgomery County to these events is not new this summer. In the evening and early morning following the controversial Supreme Court decision two weeks ago, there was no visible sign of stepped-up patrols at any Catholic churches I went by in the County. That was despite a warning of a "night of rage" by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to parishes nationwide, which said domestic terror incidents could be expected at Catholic churches. That night - and last night, following the disturbing events of the weekend - there was no visible sign of law enforcement outside of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in downtown Bethesda.

Montgomery County investigating arson fire at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church in Bethesda

Two disturbing incidents over the last two nights at churches on Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda raise the possibility that Christian houses of worship are being targeted by one or more arsonists. At 2:00 AM this morning, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service personnel responded to a fire alarm at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church at 9601 Old Georgetown. Firefighters found several pews inside the church on fire, MCFRS spokesperson Pete Piringer said. MCFRS's fire and explosive investigators are now treating the incident as an arson investigation, and are seeking the public's help - if you have any information about this case, call the Arson Tipline at 240.777.2263.

Twenty-five hours earlier, Montgomery County police responded to a report of illegal entry and arson at a different church in the 10100 block of Old Georgetown at 1:00 AM Saturday morning, according to crime data. Police and MCFRS have not released any details about that Saturday morning incident to the public as of this writing. Parishes across the country were warned by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security two weeks ago that domestic terrorists were planning "night of rage" attacks on Catholic churches and other religious or pro-life targets, after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

Fire behind American Plant in Bethesda, said to be arson attempt (Photos)

UPDATE - 11:19 PM: Photos from scene added, shed that was ignited contained plants and landscaping materials, MCFRS reported; over a dozen units responded to the fire

Montgomery County firefighters are responding to a fire on the property of American Plant at 5258 River Road. According to police radio communications, fire officials report it was an attempted arson, and a suspect has been detained. A small shed at the rear of the property is where the fire is reported to be located, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Pete Piringer said. 

MCFRS is asking Montgomery County police to send officers for traffic control purposes on Westbard Avenue, which is behind the rear of the American Plant property. Several minutes later, MCFRS asked police dispatch for an ETA of officers, indicating a shortage of police personnel in the immediate area, as fire units have already been on scene for about 20 minutes. 

Giant truck arriving at Westwood Shopping Center
waits to access loading lane behind store

Ride On 23 detours around
fire activity using Kenwood Circle

Assault on Jones Bridge Rd., arson on River Rd. + more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported on November 8, according to crime data:

Theft. Wisconsin Avenue at Fairmont Avenue.

Theft. Bethesda Metro Center.

Assault & battery. 4700 block Jones Bridge Road.

Arson. River Road at Landy Lane.

Vehicle burglary. 5100 block River Road.

Drug arrest. 5300 block Tuscarawas Road.

Theft. 5300 block Tuckerman Lane.

Vehicle burglary. 5700 block Chapman Mill Drive.

Theft. 7100 block Democracy Boulevard.

Arson on Tuckerman La., theft at Westbard Giant + more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on August 21, according to crime data:

Arson. Tuckerman Lane at Rockville Pike at 8:41 AM.

Theft. 7000 block Wisconsin Avenue.

Theft. Giant, 5400 Westbard Avenue.

Theft. 10900 block Bloomingdale Drive.

Assault. 5600 block Nicholson Lane at 10:51 PM (Pike District).

Vehicle burglary. 6100 block Executive Boulevard (Pike District).

Drug arrest. MacArthur Boulevard at Seven Locks Road.

Burglary. 5500 block Alderbrook Court (Pike District).

Drug offense. 4800 block Cordell Avenue at 11:40 PM.

Death. 4600 block N. Park Avenue at 10:44 AM.

Arson on Cordell Ave.; Springfield, Wood Acres, Glen Mar Park hit by thieves + more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on July 5, according to crime data:

Theft from vehicle. 7600 block Old Georgetown Road.

Arson. 4900 block Cordell Avenue at 12:21 PM.

Vehicle burglary. 4800 block Bethesda Avenue.

Drug arrest. Brookville Road at Taylor Street (Chevy Chase Section 5).

Vehicle burglary. 7200 block Delfield Street (Martin's Additions).

Vehicle burglary. 5400 block Albia Road (Springfield).

Vehicle burglary. 5800 block Cromwell Drive (Springfield).

Vehicle burglary. 5900 block Welborn Drive (Wood Acres).

Theft from vehicle. 5300 block Marlyn Drive (Glen Mar Park).

Theft from vehicle. 5200 block Augusta Street (Glen Mar Park).

Theft. 10600 block Old Georgetown Road (near I-270 interchange).

Theft. 11400 block Rockville Pike (Pike District).

Drug arrest. 11500 block Rockville Pike (Pike District).

Theft. 7100 block Democracy Boulevard.

Bethesda arson suspect charged, assault on Whittier Blvd. + much more - Bethesda crime update

Montgomery County Police have charged Bethesda resident Mansour Benkreira, 20, with three counts of arson, for fires he allegedly set in cars early Wednesday morning. The fires were set in vehicles parked on Wessling Lane and Glenbrook Road, in the Edgemoor neighborhood of Bethesda.

Police have another person of interest they are searching for in the case. If you have any information, please call the Arson Tipline at 240.777.2263.

Apparently, criminals don't file taxes, so April 15 was an unusually-high crime day in Bethesda.

Here's a roundup of all crimes reported across Bethesda on April 15, according to crime data:

Disorderly conduct. West Virginia Avenue at Wisconsin Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. 4400 block Rosedale Avenue.

Vehicle arson. 5100 block Wessling Lane (Edgemoor).

Vehicle arson. 7000 block Glenbrook Road (Edgemoor).

Vehicle arson. 7000 block Glenbrook Road.

Vehicle burglary. 7800 block Marion Lane.

Burglary. 5400 block Audubon Road.

Vehicle burglary. 6900 block Barrett Lane.

Vehicle burglary. 7800 block Hampden Lane.

Assault. 7100 block Whittier Boulevard.

Drug arrest. 9900 block Julliard Drive.

Theft. 7100 block Heathwood Court.

Vehicle burglary. 11500 block Rokeby Avenue.

Theft. 6700 block Rockledge Drive.

Theft. 7100 block Democracy Boulevard.

Theft. Sears at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

ARSON REPORTED AT WESTLAND MS SATURDAY, ANOTHER CAR STOLEN JUST OUTSIDE BETHESDA

According to crime data, an arson was reported at Westland Middle School this past Saturday, April 27.

No information regarding the time of day, location on the property, or damage (if any) was included.

Also on Saturday, a car was reported stolen just outside of Bethesda, in the 8500 block of Loughborough Place, along Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase.

5 other vehicles have been reported stolen in Bethesda since April 18.

ARSON IN N. BETHESDA, DISORDERLY CONDUCT AT SUBURBAN HOSPITAL AMONG REPORTED CRIMES IN BETHESDA - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

An arson was reported last Friday at White Flint Mall, according to crime data.  And Suburban Hospital, Saphire Cafe and BlackFinn experienced episodes of disorderly conduct over the weekend.  Here's a list of incidents reported between March 1-4 in Bethesda:

Friday, March 1:

Arson. White Flint Mall.

Burglary. 7300 block Wisconsin Avenue.

Theft. 7600 block Old Georgetown Road.

Theft from vehicle. 7800 block Woodrow Place.

Theft from vehicle. 7700 block Tomlinson Avenue.

Saturday, March 2:

Disorder. Suburban Hospital.

Disorder. BlackFinn.

Liquor arrest. 4800 block Drummond Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 10800 block Antigua Terrace.

Sunday, March 3:

Disorder. Saphire Cafe.

Monday, March 4:

Theft. Macy's, Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Liquor arrest. 8200 block Wisconsin Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 4900 block Greenway Drive.

Theft. 4800 block Wellington Drive.

Theft. 6500 block Windermere Circle.