11 Montgomery County Public Schools switching to virtual learning for 2 weeks

Montgomery County Public Schools are closed today, but students at eleven schools won't be returning to the classroom anytime soon. MCPS announced this morning that the following schools are switching to virtual learning for two weeks, due to student coronavirus case numbers:

Cannon Road ES

Forest Knolls ES

Hallie Wells MS

Monocacy ES

North Chevy Chase ES

Roberto Clemente MS

Rock Terrace School

Rosemont ES

Seneca Valley HS

Sherwood ES

Waters Landing ES 

Aspen Hill man arrested for sexual assault

Montgomery County police have arrested an Aspen Hill man for sexual assault, and detectives are concerned that there may be other victims. Michael Joseph Weschler, Jr. of the 4100 block of Landgreen Street, was arrested after a female victim reported that Weschler allegedly sexually assaulted her at his home on December 23, 2021.

The female victim reported the incident at a local hospital four days later. At that time, she told detectives that Weschler was the leader of her local Alcoholics Anonymous chapter, and had invited her to his home "to help her with treatment and the required acts of service."

Detectives are concerned that Weschler may have used his position at AA to victimize other women. Anyone with additional information about this case, or who believes they were also a victim, is asked to contact the Montgomery County Police Special Victims Investigations Division Sex Assault Unit at 240-773-5050.

Police release photos of suspects in NYE armed robbery in Wheaton

Montgomery County police have released surveillance camera photos of the suspects in the December 31, 2021 armed robbery of Grand Jewelers inside Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall. The robbery took place at 3:12 PM last Friday. Robbers successfully made off with an undisclosed amount of jewelry.

Detectives say one of the suspects was wearing a green and yellow backpack, a black hooded jacket, dark grey Helly Hansen pants and black sneakers with white soles. The other suspect was wearing black clothing and black and white Nike "Jordan" sneakers.    

Anyone with information regarding these two suspects or this crime is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070 or 240-773-TIPS, or contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).  A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspects. Callers can remain anonymous.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich tests positive for Covid-19

The omicron wave has hit the top of government in Montgomery County. County Executive Marc Elrich (D) announced Saturday that he has tested positive for Covid-19. Elrich had received two doses of an RNA vaccine, and a booster, as had many victims of the omicron coronavirus variant in recent weeks. He credited those shots for his relatively mild symptoms so far.

"Just feeling tired," was Elrich's characterization of his condition as of yesterday. In a statement, he encouraged everyone to get vaccinated and boosted. Elrich said he is isolating, and will continue to execute his duties from home.

F45 Training opens in downtown Silver Spring

F45 Training has opened its new downtown Silver Spring gym. The Mark Wahlberg-backed fitness concept is in the ground floor of the Solaire 8250 Georgia apartment building. Nice amenity for those living in the building upstairs.

Aggravated assault in downtown Silver Spring

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an aggravated assault in downtown Silver Spring yesterday morning, December 29, 2021. An assault involving a firearm was reported in the 900 block of Bonifant Street at 4:26 AM, according to crime data.

Armed robbery at Silver Spring ATM

An individual using an ATM was held up at gunpoint in downtown Silver Spring early yesterday afternoon. Police were called to an ATM in the 8400 block of Georgia Avenue at 12:09 PM for a report of an armed robbery, according to crime data.