Auto theft wave continues in Aspen Hill

Auto thefts are getting out of control recently in the Bel Pre Road corridor of Aspen Hill. At least six vehicles were stolen from that area between January 20 and January 24, 2026. Thieves have returned to prey on the neighborhood again. Vehicles were stolen on January 29 from the 3800 block of Dunsinane Drive and 14500 Macbeth Drive. The following morning, a vehicle was reported stolen in the 3700 block of Capulet Terrace. Finally, on January 31, a car was reported stolen from a school parking lot in the 2400 block of Bel Pre Road at 1:54 PM.

Ride On LoveFlash buses to travel Rt. 29 in Silver Spring this month

Love is in the air this February—and it’s also on the road. If you’ve spotted a neon glow while traveling along Colesville Road or Columbia Pike lately, you aren’t seeing things. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is spreading the love by transforming its Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service into a moving Valentine. Five Flash BRT buses serving the U.S. 29 route have been decked out with vibrant neon heart lights and striking red frames. These "LoveFlash" buses are part of a month-long celebration of transit and its role in connecting the community in Montgomery County.

MCDOT wants to see your best shots of these glowing commuter transports. By participating in the #LoveFlash social media contest, you could win a $35 gift card (hear that in the voice of Dr. Evil - "Thirty-five dollars") in their weekly drawing. To enter: Snap a photo of a decorated LoveFlash bus. Post it to Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, or X. Tag and Follow @MCDOTNow to finalize your entry. The contest runs until Saturday, February 28, 2026.

"Flash is a great option for those who travel on Rt. 29 because it’s fast, reliable, and easy to use," County Executive Marc Elrich said in a statement today. "Adding a little fun during February is a reminder that public transit can be welcoming and human, while still doing serious work connecting people to jobs, schools, and each other. When we invest in high-quality transit and make it free to ride, we’re building a County that’s more accessible and better for everyone."

Assault at restaurant in Silver Spring

Montgomery County police were called to a restaurant in the Long Branch area of Silver Spring on the afternoon of January 31, 2026, after someone reported having been assaulted there. The assault was reported at a restaurant in the 8500 block of Piney Branch Road at 2:33 PM Saturday. There are multiple restaurants on that block, and the establishment in question has not yet been identified by police.

Aggravated assault at shopping center in Olney

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an aggravated assault at a shopping center in Olney on January 24, 2026. The broad-daylight assault was reported at a retail property in the 18100 block of Town Center Drive at 4:49 PM. Fair Hill Shopping Center is located at 18100 Town Center Drive.

According to police, two suspects assaulted the adult male victim. Police describe the suspects only as a Black male and a White female of unknown age. If you have any information about this case, call police at (301) 279-8000. 

Strong-arm rape reported in parking lot in Wheaton

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm rape in a commercial parking lot in Wheaton on the afternoon of January 24, 2026. The sexual assault was reported in a parking lot in the 11100 block of Veirs Mill Road at 2:26 PM Saturday. That is in the vicinity of the Wheaton Triangle and Wheaton Plaza.

Shoplifting incident escalates into drug bust in Silver Spring

A shoplifting incident escalated at a downtown Silver Spring supermarket on January 28, 2026, when the suspect had more than store merchandise on their person. Police responded to a shoplifting report at a grocery store in the 900 block of Thayer Avenue at 2:48 PM Wednesday. Officers determined the suspect possessed drug paraphernalia. Safeway is located at 909 Thayer Avenue.

Amazon Fresh closing in White Oak

The Amazon Fresh grocery store at 12263 Prosperity Drive in White Oak will permanently close this Sunday, February 1, 2026. Amazon is closing all of its Amazon Fresh and Go grocery stores across the country, as a very expensive experiment with Amazon-branded physical grocery stores by the retail giant concludes. In Montgomery County, that means the losses of Amazon Fresh stores at Chevy Chase Lake, Friendship Heights, Shady Grove Road on the border of Rockville and Gaithersburg, and White Oak. It's an especially raw deal for all involved at the Chevy Chase locations, as residents of Chevy Chase Lake had expected to have an on-site grocery store, Friendship Heights residents will now have only the hipster house brands of Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Market as full-size supermarkets within walking distance, and the Chevy Chase Land Company was counting on both to anchor their respective developments of Chevy Chase Lake and the Collection at Chevy Chase.