Police looking for knife-wielding shoplifter in Wheaton

Montgomery County police are seeking the public's help in identifying an alleged knife-wielding shoplifter they say stole merchandise from a store in Wheaton on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, and threatened employees there when confronted. Police did not identify the store, which is located in the 11100 block of Veirs Mill Road, but from the photos it appears to be at or near Wheaton Plaza. They say the suspect entered the store around 1:00 PM that afternoon, and began gathering up merchandise. When she allegedly then attempted to leave without paying for the items, she was confronted by an employee. In response, police say, she "displayed a knife," and fled the scene in a black minivan.

Police describe the suspect as a Black female with what appears to be a tattoo on her inner left forearm. She was wearing a red graphic tee, a black hat, black leggings, and white shoes. Anyone with information regarding this suspect or this incident is asked to visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, MD website at www.crimesolversmcmd.org and click on the “www.p3tips.com” link at the top of the page or call 1-866-411-8477. Tipsters may remain anonymous. 

The alleged getaway vehicle

Grocery store burglarized in Long Branch

A burglar alarm summoned Montgomery County police to a grocery store in the Long Branch neighborhood of Silver Spring early Friday morning, June 27, 2025. The burglary took place in the 8700 block of Arliss Street at 3:55 AM. There is a Giant supermarket on that block.

Purple Line-related turn limits ahead on Springvale Rd. in Silver Spring

Drivers on Springvale Road in Silver Spring approaching the intersection with Wayne Avenue will be limited to right turns onto Wayne only for nearly all of July 2025. Beginning on or about July 7, a Purple Line construction crew will be establishing a work zone in the center of the intersection, to facilitate installation of Purple Line light rail trackage and related utilities. 

The turn restrictions are expected to last four weeks. Pedestrian access will be maintained during this time. Watch for signage and flagmen when approaching the intersection this month.

Travel to Jurassic Wheaton June 30 - July 9

Climb aboard the garishly-colored Ford Explorer, and prepare to travel to Jurassic Wheaton. This is not a clever commentary on the total and complete failure of the 2012 Wheaton Sector Plan, but a special pop-up experience at Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall from June 30, 2025 to July 9, 2025 based on the upcoming summer movie Jurassic World Rebirth. Westfield invites you to "transport yourself to a world where dinosaurs once roamed," but leaves most of the details for you to discover. No spoilers! Jurassic Wheaton is described as a "jungle photo experience" in which participants will "snap a pic, explore the themed setup, and watch the film come to life."

The Jurassic Wheaton event will be free and open to the public from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM each day. Look for Jurassic Wheaton in the Center Court on Level 2 of the mall. Jurassic World Rebirth - the film - opens July 2, and tickets are available now at the mall's AMC Wheaton Mall 9 cineplex. The theater will enhance your Jurassic experience with a free InGen ID badge and lanyard (while supplies last with ticket purchase), a dino-size Sriracha Bavarian Legend Pretzel, and a Menacing Mix cocktail made with tropical fruit, Kraken spiced rum and a "gold dusted dehydrated pineapple slice" garnish.

Silver Spring man arrested after alleged fatal punch outside of Bethesda bar

A Silver Spring man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, after a man he allegedly punched outside of a bar in Bethesda later died from his injuries. Montgomery County police say Darrel David Nixon, 31, became involved in a dispute outside of La Catrina Bar & Lounge at 4935 Cordell Avenue early in the morning of February 15, 2025. Surveillance camera footage reviewed by detectives shows Nixon arguing with Morgan Andrew Hippchen Stone, 44, of Bethesda. At one point in the dispute, police allege, Nixon punched Hippchen Stone, who lost consciousness and fell to the ground.

Police and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services personnel arrived at the scene at 2:37 AM, and found Hippchen Stone laying in the street, unconscious and unresponsive. He was transported to a local hospital, where he tragically died from his injuries almost a month later, on March 9. On April 22, the Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide, caused by blunt force head injuries.

Starting with the surveillance video, detectives developed their investigation, and ultimately identified Nixon as their suspect. He was arrested Tuesday, and was released on a $10,000 unsecured bond.

White Oak 7-Eleven held up

A robber held up a 7-Eleven convenience store at 11303 Lockwood Drive in the White Oak area of Silver Spring on June 10, 2025. At 2:37 PM that afternoon, a suspect entered the store and allegedly began to steal merchandise. Confronted by an adult male employee, the suspect allegedly assaulted him. The tables turned quickly, however.

Montgomery County police took the man into custody. Andre Kirksey, 27, of Silver Spring has been charged with felony robbery, 2nd-degree assault, theft, trespassing, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held without bond at the County jail, pending his preliminary court hearing on July 11.

Advance Auto Parts burglarized in Aspen Hill

A burglar alarm summoned Montgomery County police to Advance Auto Parts at 2285 Bel Pre Road at Plaza del Mercado in Aspen Hill in the early morning hours of June 9, 2025. Officers found evidence of forced entry at the store. Merchandise was stolen. Police describe the suspect only as a White man of unknown age. If you can help detectives close this case, call police at (301) 279-8000.