Armed carjacking, abduction in Aspen Hill

Montgomery County police are seeking the public's help in identifying and locating suspects involved in an armed carjacking and abduction in Aspen Hill around 4:15 AM on September 27, 2020. Detectives say a man was driving home when he noticed he was being followed by a dark sedan. Slowing in the 3800 block of Grand Pre Road, he gestured for the pursuing vehicle to pass him.

After passing him, the suspects' vehicle was used to block the road in front of him. Three males emerged from the sedan, two of whom were brandishing firearms. They forced the victim into the back seat of his own car, and took his cellphone. After attempting to drain his online bank accounts using the victim's phone, they demanded the PIN number for his debit card, and took his credit cards and cash.

The suspects then drove the victim to an ATM in Aspen Hill, and ordered him to withdraw cash. They then drove him to the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and Cape May Road, just north of the ICC. He was ordered to exit the vehicle, and to not look back or call the police. The victim complied, and then walked all the way back to his Aspen Hill residence to call police at 7:30 AM. 

His stolen vehicle has not yet been located.

Anyone with information regarding these suspects or this crime is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5100.  Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or submit a Crime Solvers tip online or via the app.  Crime Solvers may pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to an arrest in this case.

Silver Spring construction update: Solaire Silver Spring II apartments (Video+Photos)

Washington Property Company's Solaire Silver Spring II development is still in the very early stages in the Ripley District of downtown Silver Spring. When completed, it will have 420 units and 18000 SF of retail space. A 2022 delivery is expected.

850 Sligo Avenue development on hold as property goes on the market in downtown Silver Spring

Montgomery County's weak office market has just met the County's increasingly-weak rental apartment market. An already-approved conversion of an office building at 850 Sligo Avenue into residential apartments hasn't gone forward. Now the property has been put back on the market for $7,250,000.

The buyer will have the right to proceed with the approved development of 80 apartments and 6912 SF of ground floor retail. But after adding another barrage of thousands and thousands of new rental apartments countywide after the "Great Recession," the market has shown weakening demand at the rental price points offered. In contrast to promises of elected officials that more supply would lower rents, rents have remained high, or gone higher.

As a result, many new "luxury" buildings have been left with dozens of vacant units. Rather than "leasing up," they have filled their buildings by taking in airbnb-style hotel guests, college students, and contract housing/corporate "extended stay" hotel residents, none of whom are paying the full-freight rent. The resulting lower profit margin can present a problem, especially for smaller development firms.

Koite Grill opens in Silver Spring

Koite Grill has opened at 8626 Colesville Road in downtown Silver Spring. This spot was formerly home to Abol Ethiopian, which closed this past winter. Koite Grill's owners have started several businesses in the College Park area, including the original location of Koite Grill, serving Senegalese cuisine.

Popeyes coming to downtown Silver Spring

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is opening a new downtown Silver Spring location. The fast food chicken restaurant will be at 8401 Georgia Avenue at Bonifant Street. This is the latest development in a recent expansion by the chain in the D.C. region.

Four Corners GameStop available for lease

The future of the GameStop at 10100 Colesville Road in the Four Corners area of Silver Spring is in question. An online listing shows the store's space is now available for lease, and states that it will be available for a new tenant as of October 2020. 

North High Street extension proposed in Olney

Montgomery County's Department of Transportation is proposing an extension of North High Street to Morningwood Drive in Olney. The street travels west from Georgia Avenue just south of the main commercial intersection of Olney at Georgia and Olney-Sandy Spring Road. North High Street is currently residential on the north side where it nears Morningwood, and commercial on the south side there.

MCDOT is proposing to extend the road, and add pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements. Two alternatives are being proposed. Alternative 1 consists of an 11-foot travel lane in both directions, 8-foot wide pocket parking spaces on the south side of the roadway, and a 6-foot sidewalk along south side of North High Street with a minimum of 6-foot grass buffer.

Alternative 2 would provide an 11-foot travel lane in both directions, 8-foot wide pocket parking spaces on both side of the road, an 8-foot sidewalk on the south side of the road with a minimum of 6-foot grass buffer, and a 10-foot sidepath on the north side of the road with a minimum of 6-foot grass buffer.

The agency will hold a public virtual meeting on the proposal tomorrow night, Wednesday, September 30, 2020, at 6:30 PM.