El Dorado Market burglar arrested in Wheaton

A suspect who allegedly broke into El Dorado Market at 11441 Amherst Avenue in Wheaton on July 3, 2025, has been arrested by Montgomery County police. Officers were summoned by a burglar alarm in the early morning hours. Upon arrival at the scene, they found evidence of forced entry at the store. Money was stolen from inside the market. Police successfully took Billy Mendoza-Gonzalez, 39, of Hyattsville into custody. He has been charged with felony 2nd-degree burglary, misdemeanor 4th-degree burglary, malicious destruction of property, and theft of cash between $100 and $1500.

Dacha Beer Garden opening in downtown Silver Spring

Montgomery County fans of Dacha Beer Garden in Washington, D.C. soon won't have to travel so far. The local Bavaria-inspired chain is expanding to Silver Spring. Dacha will take over the former Denizens location at 1115 East-West Highway. It won't just be a change of signage, though. They plan to relocate the Denizens kitchen to the garden level, resurface the patio, replace the outdoor bar with a new covered bar, install a new motorized canopy over the garden area, and update the lighting fixtures and bathrooms. 

The Dacha beverage list includes German, Belgian and American craft beers, local meads and ciders, draft cocktails and a selection of fine wines. Currywurst and krapfen are on the menu at both D.C. locations, so hopefully we can expect those German menu items in Silver Spring, as well. Construction is expected to begin this summer.

Citadel Creole Cuisine opening in Wheaton

Citadel Creole Cuisine is coming soon to Wheaton. The fine dining, full-service Caribbean restaurant will be located at 11300 Fern Street. That 6600-square-foot building has experienced a heavy turnover of Caribbean restaurants recently, including Crossroads Two, and Islands Lounge. With seating for 600, Citadel Creole Cuisine hopes to open before the end of the month. Initial operating hours will be 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM Monday through Thursday, 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM on Fridays, 1:00 PM to 3:00 AM on Saturdays, and 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Sundays.

Downtown Silver Spring bank robbery foiled

A bank holdup in downtown Silver Spring went sideways on June 23, 2025, and the would-be robber wound up in the custody of Montgomery's finest. At 5:06 PM that afternoon, the suspect entered the Chase Bank at 8435 Georgia Avenue. He allegedly attempted to rob the bank, but was unable to do so successfully. Bryant Williams, 26, of Clarksburg was arrested. He was charged with felony robbery, and released on his own recognizance.

Advance Auto Parts opening new store in Wheaton

Advance Auto Parts is opening a new location in Wheaton. It is at 12222 Veirs Mill Road, at the Randolph Crossing shopping center. "Coming soon" signage has been posted on the building. This was previously a Walgreens store, and for longer prior to that, a Rite Aid. Advance Auto Parts has an existing Wheaton location at 12021 Georgia Avenue.

Car thieves strike again in Takoma Park

What is happening on New Hampshire Avenue, folks? The crime-palooza that has seized the busy corridor since June 29 keeps going and going. Today we're going back to Takoma Park again, where car thieves stole yet another vehicle parked at a gas station. The theft was reported to Takoma Park City police on July 6, 2025 at 7:02 PM. It took place at a gas station in the 6400 block of New Hampshire, the very same block where a vehicle was stolen from a gas station on July 1.

Photo courtesy Takoma Park Police Department

Robbery at bus stop in Takoma Park

"Fight back!"

Oh, no, not again! Serious criminals continue to hone in on New Hampshire Avenue, which has been experiencing a crime spike since June 29. Here we go again, with another robbery in Takoma Park. This one was reported during broad daylight on July 5, 2025, at 4:22 PM. It took place at a bus stop in the 6900 block of New Hampshire Avenue.