Auto thieves return to Bel Pre Road in Aspen Hill

Lock those vehicles on Bel Pre Road! Auto thieves are returning yet again to one of their favorite haunts in Montgomery County. Montgomery County police report that a vehicle was reported stolen yesterday in the 3800 block of Bel Pre at 5:04 AM. It was taken from a residential parking lot.

Montgomery County government vehicle stolen in Silver Spring

Even the government of Montgomery County is not immune from being victimized by the County's six-year crime wave. A County government vehicle is among the latest stolen by auto thieves. County police report that a Montgomery County Fire Marshal vehicle was stolen from a parking lot in the 3300 block of Gateshead Manor Way in the Fairland area of Silver Spring. 

The theft was discovered yesterday afternoon, and police believe the vehicle was stolen sometime between 2:30 PM on April 29, 2026 and 3:12 PM Monday. Police did not identify the specific address of the parking lot, but the East County Community Center is located at 3310 Gateshead Manor Way.

Royal Farms postpones opening in Silver Spring

UPDATE - May 5, 2026, 5:18 PM: Royal Farms has postponed the opening to June 1. 

The Force is with Royal Farms. Maryland's homegrown mega gas station and convenience store chain opened its newest location this morning at 9475 Georgia Avenue, in the Montgomery Hills area of Silver Spring. It's just south of the interchange with the Capital Beltway. Open 24 hours a day, the station boasts 8 gas pumps and the store serves the chain's famous fried chicken. Now you can stock up on both before you hit the highway to Ocean City this summer.

"Royal Farms has been a Maryland staple since 1959, and opening this Silver Spring location allows us to deepen our connection to our home state," Royal Farms District Leader Steve Rymer said in a statement. "We take great pride in serving our neighbors, and we’re eager to bring our signature fresh-food experience to the Georgia Avenue corridor."

Silver Spring church lists property for sale

A Silver Spring church has listed its entire property for sale. First Faith Church is located at 12323 Bluhill Road, but has prime frontage along heavily-traveled Randolph Road. The property includes not only the three-level church itself, but also a classroom building, a parsonage residence, and a 40-space parking lot. It's also within walking distance of the Glenmont Metro, if you're in good health and have high-quality walking shoes. Or you could take the M42 or M44 Metrobus from Glenmont Metro, and get off at the Randolph-Bluhill bus stop for Sunday services. 

This church is notable for several reasons, including its architecture. I do not know the name of the architect, but it clearly was designed to fit in seamlessly among the homes around it, using an identical color scheme and materials. The original church structure was built in 1962. You rarely see this level of sensitivity and community spirit in Montgomery County today. 

But, then again, this was happening amid the early years of the golden age of Wheaton and Glenmont. That vaunted era delivered countless architectural gems that today's developers don't often have the time or financial generosity to provide. We continue to admire those that remain standing, like the fine and sturdy midcentury modern brick homes, or the Aspen Hill Library. And mourn the loss of those that have been mindlessly demolished, such as the Wheaton Youth Center. Yes, Led Zeppelin did play there.

Real estate broker NAIknlb is marketing the property as a turnkey church opportunity. One imagines that the increasingly-bonkers zoning guidelines of Montgomery County may also permit all kinds of lucrative redevelopment options, as well. Cue the rubbing hands of developers. The asking price is $3,200,000, according to the online listing.

Update on Round1 Bowling & Arcade in Wheaton (Photos)

Construction walls continue to block the view of most of the work being done at the future Round1 Bowling & Arcade entertainment center at Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall. You can see a little bit of what's being done on the outdoor-facing side of the space, which is on Level 1 next to the venerable JCPenney. But the main thing we can see right now are new signs giving mall patrons an idea of what to expect when it opens. And they are also hiring staff for all positions. 

Student arrested, charged in Blake High School shooting in Silver Spring

Montgomery County police have arrested a James Hubert Blake High School student in connection to the shooting that took place on Wednesday in the school's parking lot at 300 Norwood Road in Silver Spring. Taric Wilson, 17, of Silver Spring has been charged with first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, possession of a dangerous weapon on school property, carrying a loaded handgun, and felony use of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime. Ironically, police also confirmed that Wilson was the individual wounded during the parking lot skirmish, when his own gun discharged amidst the struggle, hitting him in the knee and foot. Wilson was arrested in Washington, D.C., and is now awaiting extradition to Montgomery County.

In another irony, the adult "outside intruder" that Montgomery County Public Schools officials tried to blame the incident on, was not the person who was carrying the firearm onto the campus. However, Djibia Gombo, 19, of Silver Spring did allegedly pick up the gun after Wilson dropped it. Police also allege that Gombo briefly pointed the gun at a "Montgomery County Public Schools security officer" before placing on the pavement.

Gombo was arrested at the scene. He has been charged with 1st-degree assault. Police say they are continuing their investigation of the incident. No mugshots of Wilson or Gombo were released by police with their statement this afternoon.

Romero's Italian Restaurant "opening soon" in Wheaton

New signage posted at Romero's Italian Restaurant promises it is "opening soon." Located at 2666 University Boulevard West, the restaurant had hoped to open this past winter, but it looks like the end of construction is now within sight. They're also hiring staff, according to the Help Wanted sign in the front window. This was most recently home to another Italian eatery, Cristina Ristorante Italiano.