Police release photos of Fox 5 armed carjacking getaway (Photos)

Montgomery County police have released blurry images of the escape by two suspects who allegedly committed an armed carjacking outside of Fox 5 at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda early Thursday morning at 12:11 AM. Detectives are seeking the public's help in identifying and locating the two male suspects, and the stolen burgandy 2018 Hyundai Tucson SUV. While Fox 5 reported that the armed suspect had pointed his gun at the victim, police say he raised his shirt to display the firearm tucked in his waistband.

The suspect whom police say stole the vehicle is described as a Black male with a "dark complexion," around 5'7 to 5'9" tall, 18-22 years of age and with a thin build. He was wearing a ski mask, a hoodie and dark colored gloves. After seizing the Tucson, the suspect followed his accomplice, who was driving a dark SUV, to make their successful getaway. The dark SUV driver is described as a Black male with a medium complexion, in the same age range, and with locs that came down over his forehead.

Only after watching the extensive coverage of the carjacking on Fox 5 have the suspects realized they've done the second dumbest thing next to carjacking a cop - - carjacking an employee of a major local news outlet. You better believe extra police resources are being put on this case. Anyone with information regarding these suspects or this crime is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070 or 240-773-TIPS, or contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect. Callers can remain anonymous.

Photos courtesy MCPD

Sidewalk work on Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda (Photos)

The sidewalk is blocked in front of 8011 Woodmont Avenue in downtown Bethesda. It appears several sections of the sidewalk are being replaced. 8011 Woodmont is expected to be demolished for the Artena Bethesda development. It is one of the few remaining examples of a Sir Walter Raleigh steakhouse building in the area.

Armed carjacking in downtown Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed carjacking outside of the Fox 5 studios at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue early yesterday morning. A reader reports seeing five Montgomery County police cruisers parked in front of The Wilson office building with their lights off shortly after the incident occurred. Fox 5 later revealed the victim was a producer at the TV station.

Fox 5's Sierra Fox reported that the victim was parking her 2018 Hyundai Tucson on Elm Street at 12:11 AM, when a dark colored SUV appeared and began making an illegal turn. The suspect emerged from the SUV, and forcibly stopped her from closing her door. He then pointed a gun at her, and shouted for her to get out of the vehicle. The victim was reportedly not physically injured.

"The safety of our employees is always our first priority, and we are in constant communication with the [Montgomery County Police Department] about the incident, safety in the area, and other steps that may be taken," Fox 5 General Manager Patrick Paolini said in a statement. The police department has not said anything publicly about the carjacking as of this writing.

 

Hip Flask rooftop bar in Bethesda now offering private igloos

Hip Flask, the rooftop bar in the Marriott Bethesda Downtown hotel at 7707 Woodmont Avenue, is now offering private rooftop igloos by reservation only. The heated outdoor igloos seat up to 8 people, and come with blankets if you need them. They can be reserved for 1.5 hours at a time Tuesday through Thursday for a $300 minimum food and beverage purchase. On Fridays and Saturdays, a private igloo will go for a $500 minimum for 2 hours. You can reserve an igloo online.

Photo courtesy Marriott International

Big Planet Comics founder retires, Bethesda shop to continue under longtime employee

After more than 36 years in business, Big Planet Comics founder Joel Pollack is calling it a career. Big Planet announced Pollack's retirement in a press release yesterday. Not to worry, true believers - Nick Liappis, a Big Planet veteran who currently manages the U Street shop, will be taking charge of the Bethesda store at 7939 Norfolk Avenue, Suite 200.

The Bethesda store will now be open for in-store shopping during the following hours: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Tuesday - Friday, 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM on Saturdays, and closed on Sundays and Mondays. Big Planet is even more valuable today than it was three decades ago, as the days of comic racks in the local convenience or grocery store have ended, as have bookstores in downtown Bethesda. If you want to browse for comic books, Big Planet Comics is it at this point.

"We'll be back," Sweetgreen promises at Bethesda Row

After missing a December 27, 2022 reopening date, Sweetgreen on Bethesda Avenue is trying to reassure customers that it will indeed reopen. A new sign was stuck in the covered windows yesterday, as a major renovation project continued inside. "We'll be back," it promises with strong Terminator vibes. One beneficiary of the extended closure has been rival Chopt, located less than a block away from Sweetgreen.

Former Radio Shack building for sale in downtown Bethesda

The retail property that formerly housed RadioShack in downtown Bethesda is now for sale. World Market was also a tenant in the past. More recent tenants have been Maple Beer & Wine and WOW Made Simple. 8123-8125 Wisconsin Avenue were built in 1967 and are currently 72% leased. The asking price is not given, and the sale listing's brochure advises prospective buyers not to disturb the tenants.

There is a 120' height allowed on this site under the current zoning. An affordable housing development is planned for the public parking lot behind the property, but there is still assembly potential with the bank property next door at 8101 Wisconsin. Or just bring back RadioShack.

Truist moves into new development at Chevy Chase Lake (Photos)

The new Chevy Chase Lake continues to come together, and the latest move is the end of an era for a classic bank building on Connecticut Avenue there. Truist (formerly SunTrust) has relocated from its landmark building at 8510 Connecticut to 8551 Connecticut, in the new development across the street. Let's take a look at the historic building it leaves behind, with its arched facade that welcomes so many Beltway exiters to Chevy Chase and Montgomery County each year.

Wildwood shops to shuffle locations in Bethesda

Three shops are relocating this month at the Wildwood Shopping Center in Bethesda. Red Orchard is moving into the former Sassanova space next to Piccoli Piati at 10259 Old Georgetown Road. Sequel is moving into the Hadlee space. Hadlee has a sign saying it will reopen this month, but doesn't yet say which storefront it will be in, unless it is simply going to share space with Sequel in its existing spot.

The Metropolitan plaza renovations update (Photos)

Here's a look at the current status of the plaza-level park renovations at The Metropolitan apartments at 7620 Old Georgetown Road in downtown Bethesda. It is pretty much just a wasteland at the moment. Everything has been torn up and out, and some minor grading work has been done on the surface. The plaza update is part of a major renovation of the property, which is a little over twenty-five years old at this point. I have not seen a rendering of what the finished plaza is going to look like, but the work includes irrigation systems, soil treatment, new plantings and the installation of turf and grass.

Claire de Lune opens in Bethesda

Claire de Lune has opened at 4925 Elm Street in the Shoppes of Bethesda. The sleepwear boutique takes over the vacant GNC space at the shopping center. Claire de Lune was founded by Carmen Glaser in Lima, Peru. Their sleepwear and pajamas are made with Peruvian pima cotton, known for being much softer, lighter and breathable than the cotton typically used for apparel.

Rising crime forces many items under lock and key at Tenleytown Target (Photos)

The toll of rising crime over the last two-and-a-half years continues to have a visible impact here and nationwide. Shoplifting and spree thefts are exacting such a cost that The Wall Street Journal editorial board last week referred to the resulting impact on prices as a "shoplifting tax." Not only do customers pick up the tab for the losses, but stores are changing policies and tactics, as prosecutors increasingly take a light touch toward such crimes. Exhibit A is the relatively-new Target store in Tenleytown.

Many consumer packaged goods (CPG) are now in locked display cases. This was not the "case" when the store opened. Shampoo, body wash, and Tide pods are among the commonly-purchased items that now require "team member assistance" to buy. Video games are now in theft-deterrent cases, as well. While the cases may deter thieves, much like security guards in grocery stores and Neighborhood Watch signs, the psychological impression is made that one is not in a safe location.

GW Primary Care clinic at Bethesda Row update (Photos)

The new GW Primary Care clinic looks very close to opening at 7137 Arlington Road at Bethesda Row. Signage has been installed in the windows, and inside. Computer equipment has also been installed at the reception desk area, and furniture is in place in the waiting room. Primary care will be handled here, while specialty care services will be provided around the corner at 4920 Elm Street, Suite #225.

Marriott reduces hours it controls Woodmont Corner parking garage in Bethesda

Marriott International's new downtown Bethesda headquarters officially opened in September, and the company was hoping its new office tower at 7750 Wisconsin Avenue would be filled with employees this fall. That hasn't happened. The working-from-home movement continues to have legs, and the company's CEO has said he was not yet inclined to force employees back into the office with Draconian measures. But the company has now reduced the hours of the business day that it has exclusive use of the Woodmont Corner Public Parking Garage 11, which sits opposite the Marriott property across Woodmont Avenue.

Instead of the public being barred until 5:00 PM from entering the garage Monday through Friday, it can now park there beginning at 11:00 AM weekdays. Marriott's agreement with Montgomery County, in which it pays for its employees to have exclusive use of the garage on weekdays during business hours, was reached years before anyone had heard of COVID-19 or "WFH." But the company was wise enough to put options in the agreement for just such unpredictable events, through which it could reduce its control of the garage.

One big winner with the new garage hours is Black's Bar and Kitchen. The popular, longtime restaurant sits next door to the Woodmont Corner garage at 7750 Woodmont Avenue. It had lost business due to the inability of its patrons to park in the garage for lunch or early happy hours. Now the restaurant has posted a large sign to let customers know that parking is once again convenient during those periods of the day.

Mexicue has closed in Bethesda (Photos)

The Bethesda Taco Wars have claimed their first victim. Mexicue has closed at 4733 Elm Street in downtown Bethesda, according to a sign in the window. Other signs warn locksmiths about any attempt to open the doors without authorization from the property owner, and of trespassing. This usually indicates that the business has been locked out of the space by the property owner for failure to pay rent, or for other actions that violate the lease agreement.

4733 Elm Street may not be vacant for long, as word on the street suggests more than one prospective tenant has already indicated an interest in the space. Mexicue arrived in the market just as Tacombi and Chaia Taco were also opening on the next block, where there was already a popular Fish Taco restaurant. Taco Fresco hadn't been open that long already on Highland Avenue at that point, and now we have La Catrina Bar & Lounge open, with Los Ricos debuting by this summer. 

Mexicue lasting only six months gives you a new appreciation for the resiliance of Fish Taco and Gringos & Mariachis in downtown Bethesda. Not to mention other longtime local favorites like Guapo's, Uncle Julio's, Casa Oaxaca, California Tortilla, and Tia Queta. The Bethesda Taco Wars have just begun!