POLICE SAY SMASH-AND-GRABS IN WHEATON, BURTONSVILLE AND WHITE OAK COULD BE RELATED

Montgomery County Police say at least two of the 3 recent Radio Shack smash-and-grab burglaries in the east county area may be related. Radio Shack stores were broken into in Wheaton, White Oak and Burtonsville since December. The two latest took place yesterday at the Wheaton location in the 11100 block of Veirs Mill Road, and at the White Oak store in the 11200 block of New Hampshire Avenue.

URBAN BUTCHER LAUNCHING BRUNCH THIS SATURDAY IN SILVER SPRING (PHOTO)

One of the newest additions to the Silver Spring dining scene, Urban Butcher, is launching brunch service this Saturday, February 8. Brunch will now be served every Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 AM to 5:00 PM, more generous hours than often found at brunches ending at 3:00.

If you're tired of the usual brunch offerings, Urban Butcher is the place for you. A quick read of their brunch menu reveals a fresh approach, featuring dishes like wild prawns in olive oil, Chinese barbecue pork ribs, pate, and artisan cheese. Traditionalists need not worry, however; brioche french toast, scrambled eggs, biscuits and omelets are all there, as well.

Chef/Owner Raynold Mendizabal says, "we want to give the Silver Spring community the means to spend quality time with family, friends and neighbors in a relaxing environment while enjoying good food.”

Urban Butcher. 8226 Georgia Avenue, 301.585.5800.

WHEATON KIDNAPPING, CARJACKING CAUGHT ON VIDEO

A man's car was stolen at a Wheaton gas station around 6:00 PM Saturday, January 25. One bigger problem: his 5-year-old son was inside the car at the time, at the Exxon at University Boulevard and Georgia Avenue.

Dewitt Mathews, who thought he had locked his car doors, saw his Nissan Maxima being driven away from inside the station's convenience store. Fortunately, the driver abandoned the vehicle across the street. Mathews' son was found unharmed inside, and suspect Christian Arias - a Silver Spring resident - is in custody, and facing serious charges and a lengthy prison term if found guilty.

ABC 7 has video of the bold-but-brief crime, and the panicked scene inside the convenience store.

BILL TO REQUIRE STUDY OF NEW MD-VA POTOMAC RIVER BRIDGE ADVANCES IN VA HOUSE

The Virginia House Transportation Committee voted Tuesday to send a bill requiring further study of a new Potomac River crossing to the House Appropriations Committee. Bill HB-1244 would require the Virginia Department of Transportation to review the results of an ongoing demand study for a new bridge. The study area is between existing crossings at Point of Rocks (US 15) and the Harry Nice Bridge (US 301). A new crossing would be constructed within that area.

Historically, new Potomac River bridges had been planned at several locations. Most notable were those to connect the unbuilt Rockville Freeway to the Fairfax County Parkway at Riverbend Park, and the unbuilt Outer Beltway (I-370 extension) to VA 28. Other bridges were considered at Arizona Avenue in the District, and in relation to the George Washington Parkway. Failure to build some - or all - of these crossings is a major factor in today's congestion on the American Legion Bridge in Bethesda, and on I-495 and I-270. A recent Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments study concluded that about a quarter of all traffic on the American Legion Bridge is heading to or from the Dulles area.

If the study shows a need for a new crossing (duh!), the bill requires VDOT to furnish recommendations for specific crossing sites to the Virginia General Assembly, and VA Secretary of Transportation, by December 1, 2015.

HB-1244 is co-sponsored by Del. Thomas Davis Rust and J. Randall Minchew. There is some urgency regarding the bill, as the House Appropriations Committee has only three meetings scheduled before all non-budget House bills must be finished.

A new crossing has been endorsed by U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Virginia).

SILVER SPRING / WHEATON ICE/WEATHER UPDATE (PHOTO)

It is currently 34° in Glenmont, Maryland. Expect rain or freezing rain intermittently over the next few hours, but this further precipitation shouldn't stick.

Temperatures will remain above freezing all day, and the Winter Storm Warning expires at 10:00 AM this morning.

We're not thawed out yet, though, as you can see on this Ride On sign.

ROBBERY REPORTED AT HOLY CROSS HOSPITAL - SILVER SPRING/WHEATON CRIME UPDATE

A robbery was reported at Holy Cross Hospital last Friday, according to crime data. There were also several vehicle break-ins along the University Boulevard corridor, near Long Branch, Franklin Knolls, New Hampshire Estates and Takoma Park.

Here's a roundup of other crimes reported across eastern Montgomery County on January 31:

Drug arrest. 3000 block Upton Drive (Wheaton).

Drug arrest. 8600 block 16th Street.

Weapon offense arrest. Veirs Mill Road and Schoolhouse Circle vicinity.

Theft. 8600 block Cameron Street.

Robbery. Wayne Avenue at Ramsey Avenue vicinity.

Theft. 11100 block Veirs Mill Road.

Drug arrest. Westfield Wheaton Plaza.

Theft. Target (Wheaton).

Theft. Macy's (Wheaton).

Liquor arrest. Parking Garage 2 (Silver Spring).

Drug arrest. Georgia Avenue at Colesville Road.

Theft. 8400 block Georgia Avenue.

Robbery. Holy Cross Hospital.

Theft. 11400 block Georgia Avenue.

Liquor arrest. 2300 block University Boulevard.

Liquor arrest. 8100 block Fenton Street.

Assault. 800 block Thayer Avenue.

Assault. Northwood High School.

Liquor arrest. 12300 block Georgia Avenue (Glenmont).

Theft. 100 block Lee Avenue (Takoma Park).

Burglaries (2). Unit block of E. Wayne Avenue.

Drug arrest. 8200 block Houston Court (Takoma Park).

Drug arrest. University Boulevard at Williamsburg Drive vicinity.

Drug arrest. University Boulevard at E. Franklin Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. 9000 block Pickwick Village Terrace (Long Branch area).

Vehicle burglary, 6800 block New Hampshire Avenue (Takoma Park).

Vehicle burglary. 9500 block Lawnsberry Terrace (Franklin Knolls).

Vehicle burglary. 700 block Seek Lane (New Hampshire Estates area).

Vehicle burglary. 700 block University Boulevard East (New Hampshire Estates area).

Assault. 14100 block Arctic Avenue.

SNOW FORECAST FOR EAST MONTGOMERY COUNTY - SILVER SPRING/WHEATON/BURTONSVILLE

The snow forecast for eastern Montgomery County is insignificant today. Expect a mix of rain and snow between early morning and mid-afternoon. Temperatures are forecast to remain above freezing throughout the day. Clouds will give way to clear skies by 8:00 tonight, but temperatures will drop below freezing - expect them to be in the upper twenties overnight.